Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner presented 25 competitive athletes from the Austrian Armed Forces with awards for their outstanding achievements in winter sports. During a visit to the troops in Hochfilzen, the Federal Minister met the army athletes in the biathlon stadium, which was newly built in 2016. The athletes of the Austrian Armed Forces have been at the forefront of the medal hunt for years.
“You have all done incredibly well. We are proud of you and you can all be proud of yourselves. Each and every one of us has been cheering you on in front of the screens. I would like to congratulate you on your fantastic results,” said the Minister of Defense at the presentation ceremony. Austria’s most successful biathlete
At the Biathlon World Championships, Austria’s army athletes won gold twice and silver four times. Particularly noteworthy is the performance of platoon leader Lisa Hauser, who was named the most successful Austrian biathlete of all time. At the Snowboard World Championships in Sweden, platoon leader Alessandro Hämmerle won silver and became a three-time overall World Cup winner. In the Junior World Championships in the “Ski-Cross” category, Private Oliver Vierthaler won a World Championship gold medal.
World Cup gold for lugers
This season was also crowned with success for the lugers of the Austrian Armed Forces. The double consisting of platoon leader Lorenz Koller and platoon leader Thomas Steu drove to overall World Cup victory. They also took overall victory in the Sprint World Cup and World Championship gold in the team relay. Corporal Madeleine Egle and Corporal Nico Gleirscher also secured World Championship gold medals. With three World Championship gold medals, the Austrian army athletes were able to beat their competitors in Oberstdorf in the ski jumping team competition. Private Sara-Marita Krammer also won World Championship bronze in the mixed team competition with Corporal Daniel Huber. Krammer is now an eight-time World Cup winner and came third in the overall World Cup. Platoon leader Mario Seidl and his Nordic combined teammates achieved a great third place in Oberstdorf and thus World Championship bronze. Junior champions
Private Paul Verbnjak is a two-time junior world champion in ski mountaineering at the Army Sports Center in Faak am See. Corporal Adrian Pertl sensationally fought his way to second place in the slalom in Cortina, winning silver at the World Championships. The Army Sports Center has been promoting Austrian competitive sport with its ten Army Sports Centers since 1962. More than 450 people are currently part of the Army Sports support program. Traditionally, army sport has provided numerous participants in major sporting events such as the Olympic Games, European and World Championships; these have achieved numerous successes and medals for Austria. Athletes with special needs have also been supported since 2016.
