Corina Gantenbein comes from the Swiss Möbel-Märki team and plummeted from 21st to 222nd in the world rankings in 2018. The 32-year-old from Klosters struggled with Pfeiffer's glandular fever and was therefore only able to achieve four results in the past season.

"It started in May and was very, very protracted," says Gantenbein. Two of her students also had it and she probably caught it from them. "I had no energy and kept running a fever. Many people I spoke to said that it took them a very long time too."
And above all, you have to build up carefully so that you don't risk a setback.

"I was looking for a solution that would give me time, without a big plan," explains Corina Gantenbein. This then came about through Nicolas Jeantet, an ex-racer who has been working as a mechanic at Swiss Cycling for three years, but who manufactures RDR brand bikes in Italy with his father Vicenzo and runs a factory team racing team.
"The material is super good, is produced in Italy and is one of the lightest on the market," explains Corina Gantenbein. And because two Swiss women, Pauline and Lena, are already under contract with the Italians, this was ideal. "It goes hand in hand with Nicolas and the national team," says the teacher, who also missed out on taking part in the home world championships in Lenzerheide due to the illness.

As far as her comeback to the cross-country circuit is concerned, she wants to take it "step by step". "I'm now myself again and have energy, but I want to start slowly. It will be a while before I can talk about normal training again, but I'm already very happy to be able to move again," admits Corina Gantenbein. She is also getting help from people who have experience in rebuilding after mononucleosis.

When she will be able to compete in her first race is still open, but she has set her sights on the World Cup opener in Albstadt with the team.
"It will be difficult, also because the points are missing, but I'm looking forward to it," says Gantenbein.
A two-week training camp with the national team in Barcelona is also on the agenda soon. Otherwise, she will certainly spend some time on cross-country skis. In nearby Davos, she can also train with the cross-country skiers at the local performance center.

Corina Gantenbein with her new work tool, the RDR "Ares". Photo ©Lucas Schenk