In the men's competition, things get turbulent on the fast 1.2-kilometer course right at the start of the next lap. In a 180 bend, the course changes from asphalt to gravel and there is often a fight for position with physical contact.
Shortly before the bend, Nino Schurter goes down three laps before the end. "I don't know exactly how it happened. I think someone touched my front wheel with their rear wheel. Then someone else crashed into me," says Schurter.

He was initially at the back of the front group, but the world champion quickly rode back into the front positions and eventually even set the pace. "I didn't feel so fresh today, but I knew that I could do the most when I was at the front. I expected them to outsprint me afterwards. That's why I'm happy with third place," said Schurter. The Grisons rider criticized the course. "This short track was a bit too fast and the bends were too dangerous. It was always a bit of a struggle," says Schurter, who has abrasions on his right shoulder and a laceration on his knee.

Florian Vogel follows in fourth place ahead of Lars Forster, rounding off a good Swiss performance.

Langvad in second place

In the women's race, Jolanda Neff kept a low profile until the last lap, but was always in the front positions. It was not until the final lap that she took the lead from the German Elisabeth Brandau in front of a few waves. She jumps the last two and leads the field, but Annika Langvad attacks on the following climb. Only the Frenchwoman Pauline Ferrand Prevot is able to stay on the back wheel for the time being, while Jolanda Neff gains a few meters.

This is the preliminary decision. Langvad can already celebrate her second Short Track World Cup victory 20 meters before the finish line, while Ferrand Prevot is a safe second. Jolanda Neff does not let third place slip away. "I wanted to stay cool and then win (laughs). Now I'm third and I'm happy with that. Before the last wave, I wanted to be in front and use my advantage. Annika then attacked and I couldn't quite keep up. But I'm super happy and looking forward to Sunday," commented Neff.

Alessandra Keller crossed the finish line in sixth place as the second-best Swiss rider and secured row one for Sunday.