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The 16-member FIS board, which also includes ÖSV President Peter Schröcksnadel, makes its decision in a video conference. The announcement is expected around 5.30pm and will be broadcast live on ORF1.
All three venues already have World Cup experience. It was the turn of Saalbach-Hinterglemm in 1991, Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1978 and 2011, Crans-Montana 1987. The next world championships will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2021 and in Courchevel-Meribel in 2023. With Schladming, Austria alone It hosted world mountain championships in 2013.
Schröcksnadel is confident of victory
“We are convinced that we have an experienced and competent partner with the location of the 1991 World Cup and we look forward to gaining the trust of the FIS board this time. Together with our friends from Saalbach, the ÖSV has been able to organize several big events in the recent past, ”said Schröcksnadel. They will connect him from Innsbruck on Saturday and, if successful, he will sign the World Cup contract there.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm, who has also proven his efficiency as a World Cup organizer and only took over the races of the Yanqing Olympic fields in China, which had been canceled due to the CoV pandemic, begins the race with the concept “One mountain: all competitions”. All races are held at the Zwölferkogel in Hinterglemm and the existing infrastructure is used. After the renovation of the Zwölferkogelbahn, the finishing area will shine with new splendor.
“We stand behind our concept of ‘One Mountain: All Competitions’ and are confident in the decision. If we are successful, there will be another exhibition World Cup in Austria, ”Mayor Alois Hasenauer said in a broadcast.
Good memories from 1991
Saalbach wants to follow up on the title fights that went down in history as the “World Cup of the Sun” in 1991, in which Austria won five gold medals thanks to Stephan Eberharter, Rudi Nierlich, Petra Kronberger and Ulrike Maier, in addition to three silver and bronze medals. The World Cup in Salzburg almost 30 years ago remains the third best in medals in the history of the ÖSV after Chamonix 1962 (6/4/5) and Vail 1999 (5/3/5).
At the presidential conference in July 2015, the ÖSV agreed that Saalbach-Hinterglemm and St. Anton am Arlberg would be candidates for the World Cup. Saalbach was later defeated in the 2023 World Cup, but continued the campaign for 2025. One world championship ambassador is former driver Alexandra Meissnitzer. The Salzburg resident considers “Concept One” to be successful. “A mountain, a climb, a goal, which has great advantages for everyone, not just for athletes,” he said in a presentation. Short distances should lead to the goal.
“Our chances are great”
In any case, Salzburg can be confident for several reasons. On the one hand, the quick decision to run again is seen as a huge advantage, on the other hand, the World Cup races have been taken over on short notice and handled perfectly ever since. “What we have delivered will certainly also help,” said Bartholomäus Gensbichler, head of delegation for the Austrian World Cup bid and president of the Salzburg State Ski Association.
In addition, a lot has already been invested, for example, in the new construction of the Zwölferkogelbahn, built long ago. If the World Cup is awarded, an extra € 40 million to € 50 million can be budgeted for infrastructure at the Glemmtal. In addition, there is the advantage of the Schröcks needle. As is well known, the Saalbach World Cup is a matter of the heart of the ÖSV president and is probably the last big matter he would like to conclude during his tenure. “He runs fortunes, he’s our strategist,” Gensbichler said. “He has fought with us since the last congress and does not leave anything out to do well. Our chances are great. “
