Friedrich MOCH

LATECOMER
In the German cross-country skiing scene, he is considered a latecomer to the sport, as he only started at age 12 (preferred playing football or alpine skiing). (allgaeuer-teitung.de, 28 Feb 2021)

RISING STAR OF GERMAN CROSS-COUNTRY
Had a very strong start in his first World Cup season 2020/21 and only narrowly missed his first World Cup points at his first start in Oberstdorf in 2020 (skiathlon - 31st). Along with his 2021 World Championship performance on home soil, he is now celebrated as the new rising star of the German team. "I still need a bit of time to get used to this new situation and to the pressure." (allgaeuer-zeitung.de, 21 Mar 2021).

The coach of the national team, Peter Schlickenrieder, "The future belongs to him." (allgaeuer-zeitung.de, 5 Mar 2021)

© Data by Sports Data Warehouse

Had four starts in his World Championships debut in 2021 on home soil in Oberstdorf. Finished as second best German (20th in 50km mass start classic, 24th in 15km free). Came into the limelight with a great anchor leg performance in the 4x10km relay, where he fought USA's Gus Schumacher to finish seventh, and beat him by 16 seconds.

Three-time Junior World Championship medallist winning two individual silvers in 2020 (10km classic behind USA's Gus Schumacher, 30km mass start free), and the 2019 bronze (4x5km relay).

2021 U23 World Championship silver medallist in the 15km free, 13.8 seconds behind gold medallist Hugo Lapalus (FRA).

In his rookie World Cup season of 2020/21, he had two top-10 finishes. Individually he was 10th in the skiathlon (Lahti) and the following day, he was fourth in the 4x7.5km relay where he skied the anchor leg.