Kimmy Repond realizes her Olympic dream after injury drama

Kimmy Repond and Livia Kaiser will carry Switzerland’s hopes in the women’s singles at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, each preparing to make her Olympic debut after a season marked by setbacks and recovery. Repond’s return from prolonged foot trouble and Kaiser’s comeback from a training collision have both culminated in Olympic berths, giving Switzerland two entrants in the event for the first time since 1984.

Repond’s long road back: relief, recovery and realistic goals

The 19-year-old from Basel endured months of pain and a frustrating diagnostic journey that at times made surgery seem unavoidable. When the cause of her discomfort was finally identified, she described a huge relief that allowed her to press ahead with rehabilitation rather than face an operation that could have derailed her season.

Repond returned to competition in mid-January at the European Championships in Sheffield after an eight-month hiatus. The 2023 European bronze medallist and fifth-place finisher at the 2024 World Championships placed seventh in her first outing back — a result she called satisfactory given the circumstances. She acknowledged a brief flare of pain afterward that forced her to cut back training and curtailed plans to refine some jumps between the European event and the Olympics.

Now pain-free and feeling stronger than she did before the European Championships, Repond has set a clear target for Milan: two clean programs and a top-10 finish. The confidence behind that aim is grounded in steady progress on the ice and the psychological lift of finally being healthy heading into the Games.

Kaiser’s steadier path and program choices

Livia Kaiser, 21 and from Thurgau, also navigated a turbulent year. A training collision left her with a cut calf that sidelined her from the European Championships a year ago and introduced uncertainty over whether she would secure Olympic selection. Despite the disruption, Kaiser kept a positive approach in training and eventually secured her spot with a showing at the European Championships, even after a free skate that dropped her from ninth to 17th.

For Milan, Kaiser reverted to an older free-skate program that had brought her a fourth-place finish at the 2024 Europeans. That familiarity offers her confidence; she has been careful not to forecast results or points, preferring instead to focus on showcasing the work she has put in. Her stated goal is to concentrate on execution, enjoy her performances and see what follows.

Final preparations and what to watch in Milan

The two Swiss skaters chose different approaches in the immediate lead-up to competition. Repond returned to Basel for a final week of training after the opening ceremony, seeking the comfort of home ice. Kaiser opted to remain in the Olympic village and continue fine-tuning her routines in Milan.

The women’s short program is scheduled for Tuesday, followed by the free skate on Thursday (all times ET). For both competitors this marks a chance to leave a difficult season behind and to stake a claim on the sport’s biggest stage. Repond aims for a top-10 finish with two flawless outings; Kaiser hopes to turn steady training gains into composed performances that reflect her progress.

Beyond personal goals, their appearances carry historical weight. Two Swiss women in the Olympic ladies’ singles is a rare occurrence, last achieved in 1984. For Repond and Kaiser, the Milan-Cortina Games represent both the culmination of resilience and the beginning of new expectations on a global platform.