Austrians succeed on the Streif

At the first women's European Cup race on the Streif, four Austrians were leading the race. The athletes were rewarded with sunshine, lots of spectators and selfies with Hansi Hinterseer.

The women reclaimed the Streif on International Women's Day. Where Vincent Kriechmayr, Marco Odermatt and James Crawford usually make their turns, the European Cup ladies took over the show on Saturday. In glorious sunshine and with numerous spectators along the course and in the finish area, the athletes showed that the Streif is the perfect stage for them.

There was a red-white-red quadruple victory in the first of two super-Gs: Nadine Fest took the win ahead of her compatriots Carmen Spielberger (+0.74 seconds) and Victoria Olivier (+0.76 seconds).

The ÖSV athletes relegated all the World Cup stars to the back of the pack: the Delago sisters, Nicol and Nadia, finished fourth and seventh respectively. And even the established World Cup skier Jacqueline Wiles (USA) had a tough time against the Austrians.

Valentina Rings-Wanner from the Kitzbühel Ski Club started late in the race with bib number 42 and had to contend with snow and tracks softened by the sun. The 19-year-old finished in 42nd place, 4.13 seconds behind. 

Ski fans were not only able to experience the race live on site - ORF Sport+ broadcast the Super-G live and showed great pictures, drone shots, slowmotion pictures  and finish line interviews.

But what the TV viewers didn't see: The athletes were greeted at the finish line by a very special man.Hansi Hinterseer himself watched the women's Streif show - and had to take many selfies with the athlete.  

On Sunday there will be another Super-G - same course (Mausefallboden to Oberhausberg), same broadcast time on ORF Sport + (ab 10.25), same show - and once again bright sunshine and magnificent performances from the athletes are expected.

Photo: KSC/David Hofer & Floobe Medienproduktion