Michael Hellweger: On course for the Olympics

He wants to take the next step, meaning move further forward. "The concrete goal is to first reach a World Cup final among the top six. But to have a say in the podium finishes, everything would have to go perfectly," Hellweger emphasizes at the start of the season. The 29-year-old from Sarnen is once again the only South Tyrolean in the national A-team, and his specialty has always been sprints. “I think I made another big step forward this summer. The preparation was very good,” the powerhouse explained. Dryland training primarily consisted of roller skiing sessions and running. But even during the warmer months, training took place on snow, for example in the ski tunnel in Torsby, Sweden. At the beginning of November, Hellweger was with the “Azzurri” at a two-week training camp in Muonio, Finland. Especially now He's highly motivated for the new season. No wonder, since numerous World Cup sprints are once again on the schedule. The season kicks off in Ruka, Finland, with a classic sprint, followed a week later by a classic sprint in Trondheim, then a freestyle sprint in Davos, and on December 28th, the Tour de Ski opens with a freestyle sprint in Toblach. "I'll definitely be there," Hellweger anticipates. Reaching the quarterfinals (the top 30) has become a standard requirement for him, and he's also made it to the semifinals several times. Most recently, he did so in January of this year at the Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme. And that was in the classic sprint in Lago di Tesero, the very place where Olympic medals will be contested on February 10, 2026. He ultimately finished eleventh. "The course suits me, but it's slightly different at the Olympics," says Hellweger. The sprint at the Games will also be in the classic style. That's why Hellweger has geared his training entirely towards that format in recent years. Another South Tyrolean at the Olympics Hellweger's anticipation for the home Olympics is naturally high. But first, he has to qualify. This is realistic for Hellweger – the Italian national team currently has five guaranteed spots, perhaps even up to seven. Whether Hellweger will then be the only South Tyrolean cross-country skier at the Games remains to be seen: For the Folie sisters (see page 46), the 2026 Olympics are probably still too soon, while Dietmar Nöckler wants to fight for his chance and, through strong performances, first recommend himself for the World Cup and the Tour de Ski, and ultimately make the Olympic team. The Puster Valley veteran's main goal is the 50-kilometer classic distance race. He would also be a candidate for the relay team.

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Michael Hellweger: On course for the Olympics

The season goals are clear: Michael Hellweger wants to reach a World Cup final for the first time and qualify for the Winter Olympics. He's on the right track.

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