Paralympics: Five new faces compete for Switzerland in Italy

Nine athletes will represent Switzerland at the Paralympic Winter Games. Five of them are taking part in the Paralympics for the first time.

Aron Fahrni

The 27-year-old is already overall World Cup winner and world champion. However, Aron Fahrni is taking part in the Paralympics for the first time. The snowboarder from Emmental knows that he is one of the medal candidates for the season. “However, I don’t want to see myself as a contender for precious metal, but as an athlete who wants to give his best performance,” says Fahrni. As soon as you set yourself a goal, you can almost only lose and end up disappointed. Instead, he wants to start the races relaxed so that the conditions are as similar as possible to World Cup races.

Fabrice von Grünigen

Fabrice von Grünigen amazed everyone in the 2023/24 season. In his first racing season, the 24-year-old snowboarder secured overall victory in the European Cup. A year later, he was selected for the World Championships, and now his dream of competing in the Paralympics is coming true. “Let’s see how it turns out,” says the man from the Bernese Oberland. In the race, he wants to deliver exactly the same as he has done in the World Cup so far. With four top 3 results in a row, including one victory, Von Grünigen has shown that he too can be among the front runners. His biggest goal, however, is to enjoy the moments he can savour. “It’s my first Paralympics, I just want to take the experience with me.”

Christophe Damas

Christophe Damas has not been employed since August last year. After completing his top-class sporting career, the monoski bobsleigh racer from Appenzell-Ausserrhoden concentrated fully on sport, with the focus on the Paralympics. “The plan seems to be working,” says the 23-year-old, who is aiming for a diploma, i.e. a top 8 finish. “But if it gets better, then of course I’ll also be very happy.” Damas does not know exactly which of the five disciplines he expects to win a diploma in. “I’ve probably been asked ten times by now where I think I have the best chances. Honestly? I still don’t have an answer.”

Emerick Sierro

At 19, Emerick Sierro is the youngest member of the team. The Vaud native only finished his schooling last summer and has been concentrating on skiing ever since. Tom Reulein, Chef de Mission, calls him a “miracle bag”. He came 5th in the last giant slalom before the Paralympics and will be able to ski without pressure at the Games. “In training, he regularly skis faster than Robin Cuche and Théo Gmür,” continues Reulein. “I haven’t set myself a result as a goal, but of course I’d love a good one,” says Sierro. But he actually wants one thing above all: to gain experience.

Ueli Rotach

The 23-year-old’s name in the Swiss Paralympic squad was a surprise. At least for Ueli Rotach himself. “I’m very happy about it now,” says the skier about his first Paralympics selection. “But I first needed time to realize that I was really going to compete.” Rotach, who is currently still part of the junior team, wants to compete in the World Cup with the national team next season, in which he has been competing in the giant slalom since last season, 2024/25. Unlike most skiers, the Toggenburg native will not be competing in all five disciplines, but only in the super-G and giant slalom. He wants to gain his first experience on the international stage.