FIS Masters World Championships 2026 Deliver Record Participation in Reiteralm

From 23–27 March, Reiteralm (AUT) in the Dachstein–Schladming region of Steiermark hosted one of the largest FIS Masters World Championships in history, welcoming 580 athletes aged 30+ from 25 nations, competing across 25 age classes and four categories.

With over 1,100 race starts, the 2026 edition set a new benchmark for participation, raising expectations for the 2027 event in Pila, Italy.

The Championships were hosted by the DSV – Deutscher Skiverband and organized by WSV Pichl‑Reiteralm, led by Mr. Reinhard Kornbeger. Despite weather challenges and exceptionally large start fields, the Organizing Committee delivered “excellent races, very professionally and in a warm, friendly atmosphere,” noted FIS Masters Race Director Joe Galinier.

The event also highlighted the remarkable longevity of Masters athletes. The oldest competitors were Frantisek Dolnik (SVK, born 1933) in the men’s field and Keiko Hoshida (JPN, born 1940) among the women.

Austria dominated the 2026 World Championships with 33 victories, led by standout performers:

• Janine Speringer, winner of all three women’s C category races (age class 30–34)

• Florian Lengl, double winner in GS and Super‑G in the men’s A category (35–39)

• Paul Fuchs, double winner in SL and GS in the men’s A category (65–69)

Italy followed with 10 victories, ahead of Switzerland and France with five wins each.

Detailed results are available here.

Next on the calendar: Masters World Cup Finals

Attention now turns to the Masters World Cup Finals in Levi (FIN) from 8–10 April, where double World Cup points in GS and SL will determine many season‑long battles across the age classes.

Key standings battles still open

Men

• 90–94: Gian Franco Guastini (ITA) leads Frantisek Dolnik (SVK) by 100 points.

• 80–84: A duel between Pepi Neubauer (USA) with 1200 points and Zenone Soave (ITA) with 1040 points.

• 75–79: Eduard Reich (AUT) leads with 1080 points, only 20 and 70 points ahead of Heinrich Riesemann (GER) and Maxime Arnod Prin (FRA).

• 65–69: Paul Fuchs (AUT) and Andreas Dimmen (NOR) are co‑leaders with 1120 points, followed by Patrick Avenier (FRA – 1060) and Richard Slabinski (USA – 1040).

• 50–54: Only 60 points separate leader Hubert Klaus (AUT) and Daniel Najdzionek (POL).

• 45–49: Slovakia’s Roman Stanik leads Miroslav Bucek by 20 points.

• 35–39: Leader Tommaso Bruno Vittorio Verri holds a 25‑point advantage over Pierre Stiemsbert (SUI).

Women

• 75–79: Brazil’s Luci Arnhold leads by 80 points over Jaroslava Davidova (CZE).

• 70–74: Leader Julia Schärer (SUI) holds a 60‑point advantage over Veronika Vilsmaier (GER).

• 65–69: Muriel Jay (FRA) and Jana Ries (AUT) are tied at 1200 points, ahead of Doranna Melegari (ITA) with 1080 points.

• 60–64: Four racers are still in contention: co‑leaders Marina Capretta (ITA) and Lisa Densmore Ballard (USA) at 1180 points, followed by Sidonie Lentner (GER – 1120) and Anita Gstrein (AUT – 1000).

• 55–59: Christiane Santen (GER) leads Vera Savage Gonczi (HUN) by 20 points.

• 45–49: Katarzyna Luterek (POL) leads with 1180 points, only 40 points ahead of Anne Christiansen (DEN).

Notably, more than 200 athletes aged 70+ competed in the Masters World Cup this season — a testament to the strength and growth of the global Masters community.