Tim Hug ends his career

Switzerland is losing his last remaining Nordic Combined athlete on World Cup level. After six season as Switzerland’s sole representative, the 31-year-old decided to end his career.

Hug, who had trained with the Norwegian team in the past season, met the requirements for Swiss Ski’s A-team 2019/20 but was not nominated as the selection commission has the option to exclude athletes who do not show continuous progress in their level of competition even though being on a Swiss Ski team in for multiple seasons.

After his non-selection, Hug and Swiss Ski have been in talks about continuing his career outside of the Swiss Ski teams. “After a basic analysis, I had to face the facts that I would not be able to continue my career all by myself on a level that is professional enough to reach a good international level. The financial, organisational and administrative effort is just too big for me”, Hug explained his decision.

In his long career, Hug took part in three Olympic Winter Games and six FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. In January 2014, Hug won a World Cup in Chaikovskiy (RUS), the first Swiss victory in Nordic Combined in 20 years. He reached a second podium position in Sapporo (JPN) in 2016/17. In total, Hug started in the World Cup 180 times.

He will now be focussing on finishing his Bachelor in “Renewable energy and environmental technology” in Rapperswil-Jona. “The timing of my career end is pretty ideal”, Hug said. “The first months without high performing sports will be quite busy with the last two semesters of my studies.”