Katharina Liensberger Set to Return to World Cup

Austrian media reports that technical specialist Katharina Liensberger participated in Austrian team training on Monday, indicating that the 22-year-old had reached an agreement with equipment supplier Rossignol for the coming season.

Ranked 7th and 12th in the world in slalom and giant slalom, respectively, at the end of the 2019 season, Liensberger has been embroiled in a snafu between her equipment suppliers and the Austrian Ski Federation over the summer and currently does not have a valid ski and boot contract, a requirement to race World Cup for the Austrian Ski Team.

Previously a Rossignol athlete, Liensberger signed a ski deal with Kastle skis this off season but was not able to find a boot company in the Austrian equipment pool willing to supply her only with boots. The young Austrian returned to negotiations with Rossignol last month but was unable to submit the proper paperwork to the Austrian federation in time for a start spot in Soelden.

Liensberger has been given until Friday, November 15, to reach an agreement with Rossignol or be barred from competing for the entire 2019-20 season by the Austrian Ski Team. Liensberger’s participation in team training this week indicates that an agreement has been reached and she will likely start in the World Cup slalom opener later this month in Levi, Finland.