Christiane Berset Nuoffer can now fully dedicate herself to athletics. As the coach of Audrey Werro, 800m world silver medallist at the World Indoor Championships in Toruń, and Joceline Wind, and through her role as a national coach at Swiss Athletics as well as her involvement in the Next Level programme, she now has everything she needs to guide her athletes to the highest level.
“My professional life is at a turning point,” explains the Fribourg-based coach. In 2025, she took a sabbatical from her teaching position before being appointed in November as National Elite Endurance Coach, supporting head coach Michi Rüegg. At the same time, she benefits from the Next Level programme, an initiative launched by Swiss Athletics in partnership with several foundations to professionalise athlete support. Eight elite athletes, including Audrey Werro, and their coaches are part of the programme in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
For Berset Nuoffer, who is constantly striving to improve, this is a perfect opportunity. “I love continuous learning, it’s my adrenaline,” she says. After training as a J+S coach, she completed her education as an elite sports coach in Macolin. She also draws on her experience as a former National League volleyball player in Fribourg and on her long-standing work with CA Belfaux, where she coached young athletes before relaunching a middle-distance training group in 2017.
Today, that group is thriving, with around twenty athletes, including Audrey and Joceline, who benefit from training together, often alongside male athletes, creating a mutually stimulating environment.
Close to her athletes
“I’m a hands-on coach rather than a sports scientist. Of course, I design training plans and structure the season, but what I value most is the relationship with my athletes. I need to understand how they feel. It’s also important for me to know how they are doing in their studies, as it directly impacts their training,” she explains.
She works closely with her husband Julien, who manages Audrey’s administrative matters and sponsorships, as well as Andreas Hediger, who liaises with meeting organisers. Joceline Wind follows a slightly different setup, but what matters most is the strong bond she shares with Audrey, despite their very different personalities.
Berset Nuoffer’s commitment has played a key role in the remarkable progress of her athletes this year. Athletissima ambassador Audrey Werro notably won the Diamond League Final in Zurich over 800 metres, setting a new Swiss record of 1:55.91. This winter, the 21-year-old from Fribourg has continued her impressive form, lowering her national record to 1:57.27 in Belgrade before claiming the Swiss indoor title in St. Gallen in 1:57.98. Before her latest breakthrough performance on the world stage in Toruń, where she also set a new Swiss record (1:56.64). Joceline Wind, World University champion and World Championships participant in Tokyo over 1500 metres, has also reached a new level.
“I now have more time to support my athletes during training camps. I was able to spend two weeks in Potchefstroom, South Africa, before heading to the Algarve in January,” she says.
A true win-win situation for Swiss athletics.
(This article has been updated following the World Indoor Championships in Toruń.)
