Thrilling Giant Slalom races in Engelberg

LUCERNE (SUI) - The giant slalom competitions on the Jochpass in Engelberg took place today under ever-changing weather conditions. From fog to sunshine and snowfall, the mountain put the athletes to the test.

Impressive results in Para-Sport

In the Standing Women category, France’s Jaouen Camille triumphed in a head-to-head battle, prevailing over Switzerland’s Celine von Till to secure first place.

In the Standing Men category, Austria’s Nico Pajantschitsch delivered an outstanding performance, dominating the event and crossing the finish line two seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Brandon Gex. France’s Emilien Pauthier completed the podium in third place.

In the Sitting Men category, the Swiss athletes delivered a remarkable one-two finish. Pascal Christen from Nidwalden claimed a commanding victory ahead of his compatriot Felix Frohofer, while Italy’s Giorgio Porpiglia took third place.

Swiss Team delivers strong performance

In the men’s competition, Nick Spörri clocked the fastest time in the second run and secured the CISM World Championship title. The athlete from Appenzell outpaced Germany’s Hannes Amman, who finished in second place, and France’s Alban Elezi, who completed the podium in third place. Two more Swiss athletes, Fadri Janutin and Joel Lütolf, also delivered strong performances, finishing ninth and tenth respectively.

In the women’s race, Janine Schmitt showcased exceptional skill and consistency, finishing in second place. After leading in the first run, she was overtaken in the second and ultimately conceded victory to Italy’s Sophie Mathiou. Austria’s Nina Astner secured third place on the podium.

A total of 34 athletes competed in the women’s event, with all four Swiss women finishing in the top 16. Priska Ming-Nufer achieved a solid ninth-place finish, followed by Anouk Brändli in twelfth place. Aline Höpli rounded off the strong Swiss team performance with a sixteenth-place finish.

The Swiss athletes demonstrated excellent teamwork, resilience, and determination, establishing themselves as strong contenders among the world’s best competitors.

A strong commitment to Para-Sport

Beyond the sporting achievements, the event also highlights the importance of promoting para-sport. The Swiss Armed Forces reaffirm their commitment through targeted programs that have supported para-athletes since 2021. This dedication to inclusion is particularly evident at the 2025 Military World Winter Games, showcasing that the Armed Forces not only support conventional athletes but also provide valuable opportunities for para-athletes to compete at the highest level.

• All results are available at: https://www.cism-wmc.ch/en/ranking.

• Pictures from the events can be found here: https://share.dma.swiss/s/poZoWrNm6ADwkg9.

(Source: https://www.cism-wmc.ch/ – WINOC 25)