With the winter season over, now it’s time for the Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team to look back on the Ski Classics Season XVII and start planning for the next one.
The Austrian Pro Team further cemented its status as the leading German-speaking team in long-distance skiing, collecting 37 overall podium finishes at Ski Classics Challengers events and other major ski marathons across the Alps.
A highlight of the season was a triple victory in the men’s race at the Ski Classics Challengers event La Sfida in Switzerland. The Pro Team also collected further podiums at renowned races, including the Dolomitenlauf and the Challengers events König Ludwig Lauf and Ganghoferlauf, maintaining a strong presence across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) thanks to their well-balanced structure spanning Ski Classics, FIS Elite events, and recreational ranks.
Mixed emotions in the Pro Tour
In the Ski Classics, results were more complex. The Pro Team’s goal of a Top 15 Pro Team ranking went unrealized, largely due to health-related absences affecting three of four Pro Team women for much of the season. The mid-season signing of Finnish skier Amanda Nyfors allowed the team to field a female competitor for the final four races in Norway.
On the men’s side, Jonathan Göppert continued his upward trajectory in the Youth competition, edging ever closer to a Top 30 position. In the women’s Vet category, Nicole Tröger claimed the classification victory for the second consecutive year.
Also Read – Ski Classics World Championship Season XVII: Final standings and all bib winners
Remi Lindholm at Vasaloppet
A major media moment of the season came when Finnish star Remi Lindholm lined up at the Vasaloppet wearing Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team colors. The signing, facilitated by team member Juuso Mäkelä, drew significant attention to the Austrian squad on the world’s biggest long-distance skiing stage.
Read More: Remi Lindholm strengthens the Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team at Vasaloppet
Wax service a key asset
The team’s waxing unit continued to punch above its weight. Head technician Peter Riedl once again prepared skis at a top level despite limited resources. Looking ahead, Swede Henrik Väyrynen will take on a greater support role at Scandinavian races, working in coordination with Riedl.
Visibility remains the big challenge
Pro Team Director Peter Kiene also touches on the topic of media visibility in the German-speaking world.
“It’s certainly positive that all Ski Classics races are broadcast live and free of charge via ServusTV’s livestream. However, a Scandinavian-focused, English-language livestream doesn’t meet the needs of the large and passionate German-speaking cross-country ski audience,” says Kiene, and adds:
“According to an Intersport study, 54% of all Germans, over 30 million people, are enthusiastic about winter sports. The percentage is even higher in Austria and Switzerland. This audience must be reached to make the exciting Ski Classics product better known and to increase its marketing value.”
Kiene also reflects on the broader value of Ski Classics participation for an Alpine-based Pro Team.
“For now, our team’s promotional and sponsorship value comes mainly from successes in the Alpine region. Being part of the Ski Classics is, for us, currently a prestigious project. But there are concrete ideas and ongoing discussions behind the scenes about how this dormant potential could be turned into something more lucrative for all parties in the future.”
Photo: Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team
