Downhill skier and DSV athlete: Sarrazin and Gimmler: Kitzbühel winner loves cross-country skiing ace

He spent a lot of time on cross-country skis in January. “I’m not doing it for training reasons,” the Frenchman told “Bild”. When asked if he was doing this to spend time with his girlfriend, he said: “Exactly! I really enjoy it.” A few days ago, Sarrazin posted a cross-country skiing picture of the couple on Instagram. Gimmler (32) did not want to comment further on the relationship when asked.

Sarrazin’s fight for life and death

Sarrazin will meanwhile miss the games in Italy. The downhill skier fell so badly in Bormio in December 2024 that he almost died. The Kitzbühel double winner from January 2024 hit his head during downhill training. He underwent emergency surgery due to a brain bleed and was in a coma for days.

A large scar that runs across half of his head is evidence of the accident and the operation. It took a year before he could even stand on skis again. It is still unclear whether he will return to the racing tracks.

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

Gimmler hopes for an Olympic medal with Rydzek

Like Coletta Rydzek (28), Gimmler qualified for the German cross-country skiing team. Rydzek also has a friend from the alpine 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,” said Sarrazin about occasional activities together.

Rydzek came second in the freestyle sprint at the home World Cup in Oberhof the previous week, while Laura Gimmler came fourth.