US star Breezy Johnson competed successfully in Reinswald last year. © RICHARD KROSS

Great anticipation for the 20th edition of the European Cup in Sarntal

In one month, the Schöneben slope in Reinswald will once again host two Women's Alpine Skiing European Cup races. A Super-G will be held on both Tuesday, February 3rd and Wednesday, February 4th. The organizers, led by coordinator Luis Hofer, are already deep into preparations for this anniversary edition.

06 January 2026

From: pm

What do former ski racers Christine Spornring and Selina Heregger have in common, besides both competing for the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV)? They both won the first two European Cup races in Reinswald in early February 2005. Spornring won the downhill 7643 days ago, while Heregger triumphed in the Super-G 24 hours later.

Twenty-one years after its premiere, the Sarntal speed races have long since become a fixture in the packed calendar of the second-highest racing series. A classic event that athletes from all over the world look forward to every year. This year will be no exception, as the European Cup visits the heart of South Tyrol just a few days before the start of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. It's quite possible that one or two top athletes who weren't selected for the Games with the five rings will come to the Sarntal Valley to maintain their fitness and gain race experience. Or perhaps even an Olympian will be there, putting the finishing touches on her preparation?

When the world champion stopped by – and won

As a newly crowned double world champion (downhill, team combined), Breezy Johnson arrived in Reinswald at the end of February 2025. She stated that she competed in the Super-G to secure good points in this discipline and thus improve her overall World Cup standings. And so it worked – Johnson won the first Super-G and finished third in the second. The last European Cup race in the Sarntal Valley was won by Nadine Fest from Austria, who holds the record for most victories in Reinswald with four wins.

This year, the athletes are expected to arrive on Monday, February 2nd. The first team captains' meeting will take place at 19 p.m. The first Super-G is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3rd, with a start time of 10 a.m. This race is a special anniversary, as it marks the 60th Super-G event held on Sarnen snow. The second and final team captains' meeting will follow at 14 p.m. The second Super-G will take place on Wednesday, February 4th, again starting at 10 a.m. The FIS Technical Delegate is Dusan Gorisek from Slovenia.

"After 20 years, we never tire of emphasizing how important the European Cup races are for our valley. Primarily because of the numerous overnight stays we generate during the off-season for tourism. We also thank our many sponsors and partners, as well as the numerous volunteers who make hosting the European Cup possible in the first place. And of course, a special thank you goes to the Reinswald mountain lifts, who ensure perfect conditions on the racecourse every year," the organizers concluded.