Release from 30.11.2018
Saalbach Hinterglemm can already look back on many successfully executed races. Most recently, it was the Audi FIS Ski World Cup 2015 that was held in the Glemmtal valley. In 2018, it will be back again. Here, we provide a brief overview of the history of the World Cup in the Glemmtal valley.
Saalbach Hinterglemm had its premiere as a World Cup host in 1972. Annemarie Moser-Pröll was the first to go home with a trophy. The Salzburg-native from Kleinarl, who was only 19 at the time, won the downhill in December 1972 and then complemented her achievement one day later with a successful giant slalom run in Saalbach Hinterglemm.
The men first completed a World Cup race in Saalbach Hinterglemm in 1973: The giant slalom ended in December with an Austrian triple-triumph by Hubert Berchtold, Thomas Hauser and Hansi Hinterseer.
In the week from 10 to 16 March 1980, Saalbach Hinterglemm successfully presented itself as the organiser of an unforgettable ski event. Athletically, the World Cup finale had basically become a family affair for the Wenzels: The siblings Hanni and Andreas Wenzel received the big crystal globe for their overall World Cup victories.
During the 2nd World Cup final from 21 to 27 March 1988, there was a massive increase in international media attention: 562 journalists from 16 countries reported from Saalbach Hinterglemm; 14 television stations and radio broadcasters were also present. The final was all about the two sporting giants Pirmin Zurbriggen and Alberto Tomba.
Unforgettable: the World Cup of 1991
The World Cup from 22 January to 3 February 1991 made unforgettable history. Among the athletic highlights were especially Petra Kronberger from Salzburg with her downhill gold medal victory, as well as the young Stefan Eberharter from the Zillertal valley, who became a star in Saalbach Hinterglemm: He sensationally won gold in super-G and combined.
Double victory for Matthias Mayer at the 2015 World Cup in Saalbach
The last time that Saalbach Hinterglemm hosted the World Cup was in February 2015. Matthias Mayer won in downhill and, for the first time, in super-G, too. The event organisers had created another successful World Cup race with around 22,000 spectators.
Additional milestones:
6 January 1994: The first men’s sprint downhill run in the history of the Alpine Ski World Cup (two runs).
6 January 1998: Hermann Maier wins the giant slalom and thereby his 1st World Cup race on Austrian soil!
1 March 1998: Martina Ertl from Germany wins the very first Women’s World Cup Night Slalom!
22 December 1999: A memorable event in Saalbach Hinterglemm’s history: The last alpine ski race in the 20th century ends with a triple triumph by the ÖSV (Austrian Skiing Association) in the giant slalom by Christian Mayer, Hermann Maier and Benjamin Raich!
January 2002: The last Speed World Cups in Saalbach Hinterglemm for the time being ends with a downhill double victory by Hilde Gerg from Germany, while Laure Pequegnot from France wins the slalom.
You can find additional information on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Saalbach Hinterglemm on 20 December 2018 on
saalbach.com/skiweltcup.