Ski-Willy Marathon Team Austria is heading into its 11th Ski Classics Pro Tour season with renewed commitment, a sense of pride in past achievements, and clear ambitions for the future.
Pro Team Director Peter Kiene reflects on the Season XVII calendar, the evolution of race formats, and what’s next for the Austrian-based Pro Team, Ski-Willy Marathon Team Austria, which finished 21st in the overall Pro Team ranking last winter.
Home Events Highlight the Calendar
The Season XVII calendar brings both excitement and logistical challenges for Kiene and his Pro Team. The inclusion of the Gastein Classics, their home event in Austria, is a clear highlight.
“We are very pleased that our home races, the Gastein Classics, are once again included,” says Kiene. “However, it was surprising to see that two important events for us — the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon and La Venosta — are no longer part of the Pro Tour.”
One notable gap in the calendar is the February break. While the pause coincides with the Winter Olympic Games, Kiene shares a broader perspective:
“Cross-country skiing has a shorter season compared to many other sports. It would be great to make full use of the winter months. For instance, in February, La Transjurassienne in France could be a valuable addition to the Pro Tour.”
Also Read: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII 2025/2026
New Formats: Open to Innovation, But Spirit of Ski Classics Must Stay Intact
Ski-Willy Marathon Team Austria acknowledges the novelty of the new formats, including the Bedřichov Sprint and the 50km Individual Time Trials (ITTs), but remains focused on preserving the essence of long-distance skiing.
“Sprint events have always been part of the long-distance racing scene, often as entertaining evening shows,” Kiene says. “They’re great for the crowd and can offer top athletes a chance to earn prize money, but we feel they’re better suited as side events.”
He sees the 50km ITT in Grönklitt as a step closer to the World Cup format. But Kiene also points to other exciting possibilities.
“Anders Aukland’s idea of an ultra-distance race is something worth exploring, and I would add my suggestion of a 100km skating race – to offer the audience something extraordinary and create new challenges for the athletes.”
Looking Back on Season XVI: Historic Achievements and Positive Momentum
Season XVI was a milestone season for the team. Most notably, German Pro Team athlete Nicole Tröger captured the Vets’ classification, marking the Pro Team’s first-ever Ski Classics bib.
“We were proud to see Nicole Tröger win the Vets jersey – our team’s first time securing a classification bib,” says Kiene.
The Ski-Willy Marathon Team Austria also ranked 15th in the Pro Team competition at the midpoint of the season, demonstrating strong consistency, before narrowly missing the overall top 20.
“Our team made significant progress last season, moving closer to establishing ourselves firmly among the mid-tier Pro Teams. That’s an important achievement for us.”
Also Read: Final Ski Classics standings Season XVI – All bib winners
Another source of pride was the team’s ski service.
“Our wax whisperer Peter Riedl repeatedly managed to prepare fast skis that didn’t have to shy away from comparison with the exclusive materials of the top teams,” Kiene adds.
Looking Ahead to Season XVII: Building on Momentum, Despite Challenges
The Pro Team’s ambitions for the new season are clear — to continue developing and competing at a high level. However, Kiene acknowledges that the road ahead requires strategic planning, especially regarding travel and budget constraints.
“The new calendar poses an organizational and financial challenge for Central European teams like ours,” says Kiene. “With fewer races in our region and a five-week block in Scandinavia, it’s hard to attend every event. Our athletes and service crew are all employed or studying, so they’re not available long-term.”
Despite these realities, interest in the team remains high.
“This year we’ve received more international athlete inquiries than ever before, which tells us we’re on the right track,” says Kiene.
The final team roster will be announced during the summer, and it will continue to feature a strong German-speaking core with international flair.
Visibility and Growth in German-Speaking Regions
Kiene also highlights a broader topic relevant to the sport’s growth: media visibility in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
“All races are broadcast as English-language livestreams on Servus TV in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. But an English stream with Scandinavian hosts can’t address the interests or cultural context of the German-speaking audience,” says Kiene. “In the long run, it won’t gain much reach and is likely to fail.”
He continues:
“Without appealing TV presence and viewable ratings, it’s nearly impossible to attract strong sponsors or further professionalize. But there’s great interest in long-distance skiing in the Alpine region — we see it in regional ski marathon events, many talented and motivated athletes, and some emerging professional teams with active team managers.”
Season XVII
As they prepare for their 11th Ski Classics Pro Tour campaign, the Ski-Willy Marathon Team Austria remains focused on sustainable growth, innovation, and delivering strong performances.
“Our goals depend on the budget. We are still looking for sponsors, which is proving very difficult despite all the success,” concludes Kiene.
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Author: Leandro Lutz
Photos: Ski-Willy Marathon Team Austria
