Photo: Draceane
Gosau is preparing for its World Cup debut as the Austrian resort moves into the final months before hosting two women’s technical races in late December.
The Audi FIS Women’s Ski World Cup will visit Dachstein West/Gosau for the first time Dec. 28-29. A giant slalom is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 28, followed by a slalom Tuesday, Dec. 29. The races will take place on the Hornspitz in Gosau.
The weekend will also mark the return of World Cup alpine racing to Upper Austria, Oberösterreich, after more than six years. The region last hosted a World Cup in 2020, when the men raced in Hinterstoder. Women have not competed in a World Cup race in Upper Austria since 1992.
Final preparations underway
Organizers gathered in Gosau in early September as preparations entered their final phase, according to SnowSport News.
Representatives from the state of Upper Austria, Ski Austria, the Upper Austrian Ski Association, Dachstein West, local government, emergency services, sponsors and other organizations joined volunteers involved in staging the races.
Upper Austria Gov. Thomas Stelzer emphasized both the significance of bringing the women’s World Cup back to the region and the work required to stage the two races.
“34 years is a long wait,” Stelzer said, according to SnowSport News. He said the World Cup will provide an opportunity to showcase Upper Austria and the Dachstein West region to an international audience.
Regional Minister for Economic Affairs and Sport Markus Achleitner also highlighted the potential economic impact on the Salzkammergut region, including tourism, lodging, restaurants, retail and other businesses.
Rupert Schiefer, president of the organizing committee and CEO of Dachstein Tourism AG, said hosting the World Cup gives Dachstein West an opportunity to increase its international visibility as a winter sports destination.
New stop on women’s World Cup calendar
Gosau takes over the late-December women’s technical races previously associated with Lienz. Ski Austria confirmed the new venue in March after FIS approved Dachstein West/Gosau for the 2026-27 World Cup calendar.
The official schedule calls for the two runs of the Dec. 28 giant slalom to begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time. The Dec. 29 slalom is scheduled for the same start times.
For Gosau and Upper Austria, the two days will represent more than another stop on the World Cup schedule. They will bring women’s World Cup racing back to the region for the first time in more than three decades.
Information for this article was provided by SnowSport News, with race dates and scheduling confirmed through FIS and Ski Austria.
About the Author: SR Staff Report
