Women's World Cup 2025 am Semmering? Lower Austria is ready!

Women's World Cup 2025 am Semmering? Lower Austria is ready!

Semmering, Niederösterreich, Österreich - On March 28, 2025, there were significant news about the possible orientation of women's World Cup races at Semmering in Lower Austria. The women's World Cup usually takes place every two years in this prestigious place. Due to the expected non-availability of the World Cup location Lienz, the chances are good that Semmering will be again elected as the venue. Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and LH deputy Udo Landbauer recently emphasized the willingness of Lower Austria to act as hosts.

mikl-Leitner emphasized the historical role of Lower Austria as the cradle of alpine skiing and assured that one would like to find "solutions for winter sports fans". As early as December 2024, a successful World Cup spectacle with 13,000 enthusiastic spectators was experienced at Semmering, which underlines the popularity and good infrastructure of the location. The Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) asked whether Lower Austria is available and the answer is a clear promise.

organization and infrastructure

Udo Landbauer emphasizes that Lower Austria not only has the necessary experience, but also has the necessary infrastructure and enthusiasm for winter sports. Last year, the World Cup slope was subjected to comprehensive modernization in order to meet the requirements of international competition. Franz Steiner, President of the WSV and the World Cup OK, emphasizes the complexity of the organization of a World Cup race. The organization committee works together with the ÖSV on a practical solution to carry out the racing series on Semmering.

Austria traditionally has a leading role in the development of alpine skiing, a sport that has become great popular in both domestic and internationally. The country has not only invested some of the best slopes and facilities worldwide, but also founded numerous ski schools that offer professional skiing. The roots of the alpine skiing in Austria go back to the early 20th century and were shaped by personalities such as Mathias Zdarsky, who developed the first alpinskiers and thus made skiing on steep terrain.

historical milestones

The first alpine world ski championships took place in Austria in the 1950s, which the country focused on in the focus of international skiing. In the following decades, Austria focused on training top athletes and was able to win numerous medals at the Winter Olympics. The idea for the Alpine Ski World Cup was initiated by Serge Lang and found support with team bosses from France and the USA. The first race of this new series took place on January 5, 1967 in Berchtesgaden and was won by Heinrich Messner. The first women's descent was held in Grindelwald a month later and won by Nancy Greene.

The current Alpine Ski World Cup 2022/2023 is dominated by Marco Odermatt from Switzerland. The American Mikaela Shiffrin leads in the women. Daniel Hemetsberger, Matthias Mayer, Vincent Kriechmayr and Katharina Liensberger can be found from the OSV squad in the top 10 World Cup rating. This illustrates the continuing strength and importance of Austria in alpine skiing.

For the upcoming races at Semmering, the preparations are already in full swing. "We are ready to support this sport and the passion associated with it," Mikl-Leitner concludes her statements.

Lower Austria as the venue and The development of alpine skiing in Austria are a central part of this winter tradition.