Silvia Eisensteicken (center) climbed onto the winner's podium. © Sportissimus

400 trail runners inspire in Ratschings

David Reichl from Germany and Silvia Eisenstecken, originally from Brixen but now living in Innsbruck, won the Ratschings Sky Trail (27 km/1610 m elevation gain) on Sunday in perfect running weather. On the shorter Ratschings Mountain Trail (17,7 km/950 m elevation gain), last year's winners, Andreas Innerebner from Sarnen and Babinja Wirth from Germany, prevailed. A total of around 400 trail runners participated, including numerous children and teenagers who took part in the mini-trail.

June 22, 2026

From: pm

David Reichl came, saw, and conquered. The 25-year-old from Viechtach in the Lower Bavarian district of Regen, who finished second at the Naturns Skyrace two months ago, decisively won the Ratschings Sky Trail (27 km/1610 meters of elevation gain) at the sixth edition of the renowned trail event in the Ratschings-Jaufen ski and hiking area. Shortly after the start, the German, who participated in the European Mountain Running and Trail Running Championships in Slovenia two weeks ago, took the lead and steadily extended it, particularly on the uphill sections. At the Kleine Kreuzspitze checkpoint, Reichl, who runs for the xc-run.de team, had a four-and-a-half-minute lead over Martin Griesser and over five minutes over last year's winner, Luca Clara, after a running time of 1:14.8 hours.

This lead subsequently dwindled slightly. At the Fleckner summit, after 1:43:49, it was less than three minutes behind Griesser. However, Reichl wouldn't let his first victory in the South Tyrolean classic slip away, winning in 2:44:05. Griesser (ASV Freienfeld Running Club) finished second in 2:46:17, while Clara (Martini Speed ​​Team/2:52:28) completed the podium. Three other local endurance athletes also finished under the magical 3-hour mark: Patrick Ramoser (Kailas Fuga-Freienfeld Running Club/2:55:02), Thomas Steck (ASV Rennerclub Vinschgau/2:56:17), and Franz Schnitzer (2:58:52).

Eisenstecken clinches victory in the women's competition

The winner of the 2026 Ratschings Sky Trail is Silvia Eisenstecken. The 30-year-old from Brixen, who has lived in Innsbruck for three years, completed the 27 km course with 1610 meters of elevation gain in 3:53:11 hours in her debut, finishing as the only participant under the 4-hour mark. Eisenstecken, who expressed surprise at her victory in the South Tyrolean classic, relegated two other local endurance athletes, Viktoria Großgasteiger (4:04:45) and Christine Rabensteiner (SG Eisacktal/4:11:20), to the runner-up positions.

Innerebner just can't get enough

In the "shorter" Ratschings Mountain Trail (17,7 km/950 m elevation gain), Andreas Innerebner from Sarntal lived up to his favorite status. The 46-year-old from ASC Lauffreunde Sarntal Raiffeisen defended his title from last year, finishing in 1:26:27 – and with a significant lead. Innerebner, who triumphed for the fourth time in the ski and hiking area, was 6:08 minutes faster than Samuel Demetz (Team Salomon) from Val Gardena, who took second place. Another South Tyrolean, David Thöni from Gossensass, finished third. The athlete from ASV Gossensass Skialp clocked a time of 1:36:45.

Andreas Innerebner at the finish line. © Sportissimus

The women's race also saw a title defense. Babinja Wirth, a resident of Upper Bavaria and representing TSV Ebermannstadt, prevailed for the second year in a row. Her winning time of 1:51.13, which would have placed her an impressive 13th in the men's race, represented an improvement of over six minutes compared to the 2025 edition. Wirth was joined on the podium by two runners from Val Gardena: Sofia Demetz (LC Bozen) – sister of Samuel Demetz – and Nora Goller (Gherdëina Runners).

The relay teams are moving at lightning speed.

The Ratschings Mountain Trail could also be tackled as a two-person relay. In the men's race, the team "Die Zwoa 10er" with Matthäus Schwitzer and Felix Brunner was unbeatable (1:43.44). The fastest women's pair were Emma Schwitzer and Marie Schwitzer (Höhenmeterfresser/1:55.59), both from Sarnen, who are among the most successful up-and-coming cross-country skiers in the region. The mixed relay was won by Just Married Mountain Crew – Andreas Vieider and Franziska Kollmann – in 1:49.29. Local hero Patrick Braunhofer, a strong South Tyrolean biathlete who won the European Championship in 2025 and participated in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games last winter, was also among the competitors. Also present – ​​as a spectator – was Olympic champion in the doubles luge, Simon Kainzwaldner.

There were beaming faces on Sunday, not just among the winning athletes. All participants were radiant as they crossed the finish line at the Rinner lift. This, of course, delighted the organizers as well. "We've now completed our sixth edition, and six times we've had warm weather with slightly overcast skies. Perfect running weather for our event, which kicks off the summer trail running season. I'd like to thank all the participants and congratulate them on their achievements. A special thank you goes to our partners and sponsors, and last but not least, to our countless volunteers who form the heart and backbone of our event. See you again in 2027 when the Ratschings Mountain Trails will be held for the seventh time," concluded organizing committee head Hanspeter Schölzhorn.

The voices of the winners

David Reichl (winner of Ratschings Sky Trail): "It was fantastic, and I absolutely love running here in South Tyrol. The race is traditional, there's a lot of love and care that goes into the event, and you can feel it. The course is top-notch, with lots of technical sections. I love the scenery; the terrain is similar to what we have back home in Bavaria. The uphill sections suit me, and that's where I decided the race today. The first uphill was the highlight for me personally. The altitude doesn't bother me at all, and it was pleasant today. I'm taking a very positive feeling away with me for my next races in the Golden Trails World Series."

Silvia Eisenstecken (winner of Ratschings Sky Trail): "It feels great to have won this race. I wasn't expecting to win; the victory is a surprise. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing, breathtaking, although I was focused on the race the whole time and didn't really enjoy it. I wasn't feeling so well this morning; I had a slight sore throat and was a little unsure of myself. But that soon passed."

Andreas Innerebner (winner Ratschings Mountain Trail): "This course actually suits me quite well. There were three of us on the flat initial section, but then I was able to use my strengths on the steeper part and build a lead. I really enjoyed the final section and brought the lead home. It was another great experience and I'm naturally delighted with this latest success here in Ratschings."

Babinja Wirth (winner of the Ratschings Mountain Trail): "Just like last year, it was an incredibly great race and I really enjoyed it. The scenery is unique, and everyone is so friendly. I can only recommend that everyone take part here at least once. Unlike in 2025, I prepared a bit better this year, which also explains the improvement in my time. Will I be there again next year? I definitely want to be back on the starting line."

Results Ratschings Sky Trail (27 km/1610 m elevation gain)

Men:
1. David Reichl GER/xc-run.de 2:44.05
2. Martin Griesser ITA/Laufverein Freienfeld 2:46.17
3. Luca Clara ITA/Martini Speed ​​Team 2:52.28
4. Patrick Ramoser ITA/Kailas Fuga-Laufverein Freienfeld 2:55.02
5. Thomas Steck ITA/ASV Rennerclub Vinschgau 2:56.17

Women:
1. Silvia Eisenstecken ITA 3:53.11
2. Viktoria Großgasteiger ITA 4:04.45
3. Christine Rabensteiner ITA/SG Eisacktal 4:11.20
4. Sara Da Sacco ITA 4:12.02
5. Sona Kopkokova SVK/Yak&Rysy 4:13.19

Results Ratschings Mountain Trail (17,7 km/950 m elevation gain)

Men:
1. Andreas Innerebner ITA/ASC Lauffreunde Sarntal 1:26.27
2. Samuel Demetz ITA/Team Salomon 1:32.35
3. David Thöni ITA/ASV Gossensass Skialp 1:36.35
4. Helmuth Mair ITA/SG Eisacktal) 1:41.18
5. Federico Cerana ITA/SSV Bruneck 1:44.03

Women:
1. Babinja Wirth GER/TSV Ebermannstadt 1:51.13
2. Sofia Demetz ITA/LC Bozen 1:55.01
3. Nora Goller ITA/ASV Gherdëina Runners 1:55.24
4. Lena Zingerle ITA/AC 2000 Toblach 2:00.57
5. Amelie Gutbrod GER/123Hammer! 2:01.27