On Ice: ÖSV Festival in Bad Gastein

Austrian snowboarders dominated the World Cup at home in Bad Gastein like never before at a World Cup.

Austria’s masters have excelled on the ice in the parallel slalom at the World Cup at home in Bad Gastein and set new standards. Gentlemen conjured a quadruple victory in the snow on a beech slope under the floodlights. Arvid Auner celebrated his first success against teammates Benjamin Karl, Alexander Payer and Lukas Mathies.

In the women’s category, Carinthian Daniela Olping excelled, while Olympic champion Julia Dogmowicz came fourth.
Oner, 24, qualified for 15th in the finals for the top 16 runners, but made it through. “Being on top at home is a great feeling. Then I go to the final against my roommate and friend Benjamin Karl – it just couldn’t be any better.”

Karl, who is twelve years older than him, was satisfied with the second place, and Honor’s breakthrough has already become clear, according to Austrian Lower. “Last week took us from a second to a second and a half during training in each half. The win is more than it deserves.”

Ulping, who had already won in Bad Gastein in 2017, confirmed her top level with her fourth World Cup victory. The 23-year-old has also been on top of the World Cup overall. After the triumphant parallel slalom, the Austrian skiers go to today’s mixed team competition, which is also held as a parallel slalom (1pm, live ORF 1) with higher expectations. The World Cup week at home will end with Friday’s giant parallel slalom at Simonhöhe in Carinthia. (cg)

(“Die Presse,” January 12, 2021 edition)