Lukas Britschgi, how did your skating adventure begin?
It all started thanks to my mother, Gabi. She was passionate about ice dancing and taught classes for children. So as not to leave us at home, she would take my brother Pascal and me with her. So, almost for fun, I put on skates. When I first started, I wasn't interested in technique or exercises, but rather speed. Playing on the ice, running, sliding: I felt free and agile, and that immediately won me over. Later, the technical side of things also began to fascinate me. Even today, that feeling of skimming the ice with little momentum remains my favorite moment.
Did you play other sports when you were younger?
"I enjoyed playing soccer with friends in our neighborhood, where we even had a small local club. If I remember correctly, I was a midfielder: I had good stamina. But I never joined a real team."
QDid that gold medal in Tallinn change the way you see yourself?
"In a certain sense, yes. I now have the title of European champion, and not many people can say that. But in everyday life, little has changed. The pressure, however, has increased. People expect me to consistently perform at my best, and I'm more exposed, even to criticism. But I try to stay calm and not let it affect me. It's important to keep skating for myself."
How did your family react after the European title?
"To be honest, none of my team members knew what to say, it was a bit of a shock. I was eighth after the short course, and no one expected such a comeback. I was hoping for a medal, but for them it was a total surprise. I remember lots of tears, but few words."
In Switzerland, a gold medal in figure skating is a historic event…
"Truly unexpected, a crazy result. In Zurich, when I returned, there was a party with 300 people. It was the first time in my life with six or seven cameras pointed at me. I was a guest on TV, interviewed by all the major media. Skating isn't very popular here, yet that precious medal made a difference. Sure, it's not like the World Ski Championships, but it was much more than I thought."
Where did you go on vacation?
After the World Championships in Boston at the end of March, I unplugged. I felt the need to take some time for myself, away from it all, to recharge. So I left for Latin America. I'd been dreaming of this trip for a long time. I'd always wanted to explore Colombia, a destination that fascinated me: wild nature, vibrant cities, warm people. I went with Cédric, my best friend. We organized everything together, backpack on, and a desire to explore. Even on vacation, I continued with dryland exercises: stretching, gymnastics, and targeted work to strengthen my knee. My body remains my tool, always.
When will you get back on track?
I'll gradually resume after the holidays. The first few weeks will be quiet, especially since I can't jump yet. I'll return to the ice working on choreography for next season, both for the short program and the free skate. Both need to be built from scratch. Last summer, I had serious knee problems, and I practically didn't train. I'd do three days on the ice, then have to take a weekend break. It was impossible to continue like that. Now that I have the European champion title, people expect more from me, and I want to work hard to be an even more artistic skater.
Where will you train this summer?
"I usually train in Oberstdorf, where I live. It's a beautiful place, nestled in the mountains. We have an excellent Olympic center, and I train there almost all the time. But this year, the ice cooling system is being renovated, so I'll be skating in Finland, Sweden, and Belgium. I'll resume training in Germany with my coach, Michael Huth: Oberstdorf remains our headquarters."
How would you describe your skating style?
"I think I have a personal style. I'm not the most elegant, nor the cleanest, but I always try to engage the audience. I like to convey emotion, rather than seeking perfection. I have broad shoulders, and my hands may not be the most beautiful, but I aim to offer the audience something that will last."
What is your goal for the 2026 Olympics?
"My dream is to get an Olympic diploma, so I want to be in the top eight. Last year I finished sixth at the World Championships, so I know it's possible. Aiming higher still seems unrealistic. It's not a dream, but a concrete goal."
Switzerland will host the Special Olympics World Winter Games in 2029. Could you imagine yourself as a spokesperson for the future Swiss figure skating team?
The World Winter Games are an extraordinary event. They offer a unique opportunity to athletes with cognitive disabilities who cannot participate in the Paralympic Games. Being an ambassador for such a project would certainly be a great honor. Supporting people facing different challenges is something I feel deeply about. I haven't received a proposal in this regard yet, but if I could really be of assistance, especially with the World Games at home, I'd be happy to consider it.
Do you have a special bond with Ticino?
Yes, only positive experiences. I've been there often, both for skating competitions and for the pleasure of spending time there. I went to Ascona, for example, on vacation, and it has remained in my heart. For me, you live in the most beautiful part of Switzerland: splendid nature, a relaxed atmosphere, a true joy to return every time. I have no direct family or professional ties to Ticino, but the memories are there, and they are tied above all to happy moments.
Lukas Britschgi and that unrealistic dream…realized
In Tallinn, 1 February 2025, Lukas Britschgi has accomplished the impossibleEighth after the short program, with nothing to lose, he took to the ice of the Tondiraba Ice Hall with one mission: to give it his all. Without pressure, with the serenity of someone who skates only for himself, Lukas performed a nearly perfect free skate. "It had never been a dream of mine; it seemed unrealistic. Yet I achieved something I hadn't even dared to imagine," confessed the athlete born in Schaffhausen on February 17, 1998, under the sign of Aquarius.
A member of the Eislauf-Club Zurich, Britschgi has distinguished himself over the years for his expressiveness, consistency, and ability to thrill even without special effects. With that gold, he brought back a title to Switzerland that had been missing for 78 years.
Led by coach Michael Huth (the same one who guided athletes of the caliber of Tomas Verner and Carolina Kostner to the top), Lukas already boasted an impressive list of achievements, including a European bronze medal in 2023, a sixth-place finish at the 2024 World Championships, and a 12th-place finish at the 2025 edition in Boston. In 2022, he represented Switzerland at the Beijing Winter Olympics, finishing 23rd. In Estonia, he wrote one of the brightest chapters in recent Swiss sport, proving that even the most impossible dreams can one day come true.
