After a long dry spell, the Austrian ski team surprises in the speed disciplines at the home World Cup in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Instead of a crisis mood, there is now euphoria at the ÖSV.
Austria is badly considered the downhill nation: Toni Sailer, Franz Klammer, Hermann Maier are just a few of the many skiers who had the Alpine Republic cheered at the World Championships and at the Olympic Games.
Red-white-red dominance-that was once
In recent years, the situation for the ÖSV has been rather bleak. The other nations celebrated at the finish line – especially Switzerland with Marco Odermatt. Red-white-red is no longer what it was once in the speed disciplines: dominant. This season there were only two Super-G “Stockerl” for the ÖSV team. Austria’s men gave a “Pressure picture” AB, the Austrian newspaper Kurier scolded. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen emphasized the importance of skiing at the opening ceremony: “Skiing is part of us like the breadcrumbs to the schnitzel. “
So far, things have been going a little better for women: there have been four podium places for the ÖSV speed runners this season. Cornelia Hütter won two World Cup races (departure in Beaver Creek, Super-G in St. Moritz), plus a second place from Venier (Super-G in St. Anton) and a third place from Ariane Rädler (Super-G in Beaver Creek).
Venier wins gold – ÖSV president has “tears in her eyes”
All in all, no good signs in front of the home World Cup in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. So the start was also disappointing: the Austrians remained without a medal in the team competition. But the ski-crazy Austrians had already had two days to cheer: Stephanie Venier surprisingly won the Super-G at the Ski World Cup. Austria could breathe a sigh of relief. Association President Roswitha Stadlober Known: “I have goose bumps, I have tears in my eyes.” The ORF immediately spoke of “Hussar ride in Saalbach”.
The surprising success of the 31-year-old was apparently an initial spark for the other team members: Raphael Haaser won silver in the Super-G. He devoted the medal to his sister Ricarda, who had seriously injured the Super-G the day before.
Kriechmayr lets the target area shake
The Austrians were also successful in the royal discipline departure. Miriam Puchner finished second in the departure and on Sunday the most emotional moment followed: Vincent Kriechmayr delighted the masses with his run and the 33-year-old won silver from the 22,500 fans. The mood in the target area was unique. “This is an unforgettable moment of my career“, said Kriechmayr the double world champion from 2021. The Upper Austrian fell into Wengen three weeks ago, left out the subsequent World Cups and was only painless thanks to injections. “Last week it was still unthinkable that I could ski. I had no chance of it.”
Relief at ÖSV
There is relief at the ÖSV. The interim balance is positive: “It’s a great feeling. It was not necessarily to be expected that we take a medal everywhere from every speed competition. And then a golden one. We are very, very happy “said ÖSV Alpin boss Herbert Mandl. And ÖSV President Stadlober added: “I always believed in it, I knew what they could do. This is exactly how you want it for the athletes. They all want to shine at home, but it’s not so easy. Nice that the wishes come true.”
Crisis overcome?
It is questionable whether the ÖSV has overcome the crisis with the four medals. Because the absence of sporting success has been a long time. In addition to Haaser (27), only the routiners won medals. How long Kriechmayr (33 years), Venier (31) and Puchner (32) will still run races is open.
There is little fulfillment in the youth area. A look at the past two junior world championships in Haute-Savoie (2024) and St. Anton (2023) shows that Switzerland, Italy or Sweden lead the medal mirror, only three and ten were left for Team Austria. TV expert Hans Knauß, who introduced seven World Cup victories in his active time, criticized: “The structures are like me 40 years ago. They were enough for me to get to the top of the world. But we have stopped.”