Cyprien Sarrazin is newly in love. © Social Media

Kitzbühel winner Sarrazin loves German cross-country skiing ace

Germany's cross-country skiing star Laura Gimmler will have a very special fan at the Winter Olympics – her boyfriend Cyprien Sarrazin. The 31-year-old ski racer has made the couple's relationship official.

22 January 2026

From: dpa

He spent quite a bit of time cross-country skiing in January. "I don't do it for training purposes," the Frenchman told Bild. When asked if he did it to spend time with his girlfriend, he said: "Exactly! I really enjoy it." A few days earlier, Sarrazin had already posted a picture of the couple cross-country skiing on Instagram. Gimmler (32) declined to comment further on the relationship when asked.

Sarrazin, meanwhile, will miss the Games in Italy. The downhill skier suffered a serious crash in Bormio in December 2024, nearly killing him. During downhill training, the Kitzbühel double winner from January 2024 hit his head. He underwent emergency surgery for a brain hemorrhage and was in a coma for several days. A large scar stretching across half his head bears witness to the accident and the operation. It took a year before he could even stand on skis again. It remains unclear whether he will return to the racecourses.

Laura Gimmler (right) is Cyprien Sarrazin's partner. © Lehtikuva / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA

Sarrazin is hoping for a comeback. His love for Gimmler could now help him. He plans to cheer her on at the Olympic races in Val di Fiemme in February: "I'll be there. But as a fan, watching the cross-country skiing."

Gimmler hopes for an Olympic medal with Rydzek

Gimmler, like Coletta Rydzek (28), qualified for the German cross-country skiing team. Rydzek also has a friend from the alpine skiing world: Germany's best downhill skier, Simon Jocher (29). "Laura is my girlfriend, and Simon is her friend Coletta's boyfriend. Simon hates cross-country skiing. But it's nice, and we always have fun," Sarrazin said about their occasional activities together.