Julia Scheib made history on Saturday. The 27-year-old laid the foundation for the end of the ÖSV dry spell at the Hirschenkogel (Neunkirchen district) in the first round. A small mistake in the upper part of the route probably cost them the half-time lead. With second place, just two hundredths behind the Swede Hector, everything was already done.
She then held her nerve in the decision, took the lead with a strong finish and celebrated her third win of the season in front of almost 7,000 fans. “I didn’t expect it to go so well in every race, but let’s say I have a good basis, I can trust that. I’m having a lot of fun skiing like this at the moment,” said Scheib.
Her victory was the ninth ÖSV triumph since the premiere in 1995 and with it the Styrian also takes the lead in the giant slalom World Cup.
“The atmosphere is simply brilliant”
But it wasn’t just the winner who was so happy – the fans also got their money’s worth in the bright sunshine on the mountain. The mood was already good during the first round, despite the cold, which was a bit too frosty for some people.
“It’s very cold: fingers cold, toes cold, even though I’m dressed thickly,” said Petra Weinberger from Mürzzuschlag. Nevertheless: “It is warmer in the living room, but the atmosphere is simply brilliant,” said Martin Ergodt from Horn.
Support from home
When Julia Scheib opened the race and was right at the front in the first round, the last ones also thawed out. For their fan club from Styria, Semmering was a real home race. “It feels like the whole town of Frauental (Julia Scheib’s hometown, note) is here today,” said Nina Stelzer, chairwoman of the Julia Scheib fan club.
And everyone in the VIP stands was also excited. The World Cup at Semmering is not just a ski festival, but has also been an important driving force in the region for 30 years. “A wonderful anniversary and at the same time an obligation that we continue to uphold the Ski World Cup and that Lower Austria in particular remains the skiing country,” emphasized State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP).
Deputy State Governor Udo Landbauer (FPÖ) was pleased that “especially with the last few days of snowfall, Semmering can be presented like this, so white, so wonderful.”
Multiple failures
On the slopes, camera operator and former slalom ace Marc Digruber tested the conditions with which many athletes subsequently had problems – including Mönichkirchen’s Elena Riederer, who was eliminated from her third World Cup appearance. And co-favorite Alice Robinson from New Zealand also slipped in the first round.
US superstar Mikaela Shiffrin did better, although she is currently not at the top of the giant slalom and only came sixth. Julia Scheib was also a deserving winner for her. “She was at the back at first, then in the end she was at the front – what an exciting race! I like to see something like that and I hope that I can compete at this level again in the future,” said Shiffrin.
Radio Lower Austria listener Alfons Schiefer from Langenrohr (Tulln district) was finally able to present her with the prize for sixth place at the award ceremony. But Julia Scheib received the greatest applause. She is well on her way to becoming Austria’s new top star in the ski circuit in the Olympic year.
Keep reading
