Sarah Dreier and Christof Hochenwarter triumphed at the Gernkogel Vertical Championships in St. Johann im Pongau, with Hochenwarter setting a new course record of 30:25 minutes. Dreier secured her fifth consecutive state title, finishing at 36:15 minutes. Both athletes expressed excitement for upcoming competitions, including the World Championships and World Cup events. Promising performances were also noted from junior athletes, as the ÖSV ski mountaineers gear up for a year filled with significant challenges ahead.
Exciting Triumphs at the Gernkogel Vertical Championships
In a thrilling showcase of athleticism, Sarah Dreier and Christof Hochenwarter emerged victorious at the Austrian state championships held during the 3rd Gernkogel Vertical in St. Johann im Pongau. This prestigious event attracted around 90 competitors who tackled a challenging 4-kilometer course with an impressive elevation gain of 812 meters.
Record-Breaking Performances
Christof Hochenwarter, representing Ski Austria, clocked an astonishing time of 30:25 minutes, setting a new course record and securing the title of state champion in the Vertical category. His performance placed him ahead of last year’s champion, Paul Verbnjak, by a significant margin of 21 seconds. Kevin Hinterberger also delivered an outstanding run, finishing just seconds behind. Notably, 21-year-old Hannes Lohfeyer celebrated a commendable 4th place after a fierce competition with Nils Oberauer. Other ÖSV athletes, including Julian Tritscher, Daniel Zugg, and Andreas Mayer, rounded out the top spots, finishing 7th to 9th, respectively.
On the women’s side, reigning Vertical European champion Sarah Dreier showcased her dominance, pulling ahead of competitor Johanna Hiemer in the latter half of the race. Dreier completed the course in 36:15 minutes, marking her fifth consecutive title as the Austrian Vertical state champion. Hiemer, focused on the mixed relay for the season, secured the runner-up position, while Salzburg’s Linda Wilhelmstätter claimed third place. The U20 category saw promising performances from ÖSV junior athletes Silvano Wolf and Elias Peer, who secured the top podium positions.
Looking ahead, the ÖSV ski mountaineers have an exciting year lined up with significant events on the calendar. The World Championships in Morgins, Switzerland, are scheduled for March 2 to 9, 2025, followed closely by a home World Cup in Schladming from March 13 to 15, 2025. Furthermore, this season marks the first opportunity for ski mountaineers to qualify for the Olympics in Milano-Cortina 2026. However, before these major competitions, the team must focus on recovery and preparation for the upcoming World Cup events, including sprint, vertical, and individual competitions from January 10 to 13 in Azerbaijan, along with the Masters World Championships and Austrian Championships in Werfenweng on January 11 and 12. Former ÖSV athlete Christian Hoffmann, who triumphed in the Masters class at the Gernkogel Vertical, is expected to be a strong contender for titles.
Sarah Dreier expressed her excitement, stating, “I am very happy. Winning the state champion title in the Vertical for the fifth time is incredible, but I’m also thrilled for Johanna, who is getting closer and is in great form. We want to carry this spirit into the new year, and I look forward to the next races, especially the World Championships and the home World Cup in Schladming.”
Christof Hochenwarter shared his enthusiasm, saying, “This is my first state champion title in ski mountaineering, and it holds special significance for me. It fuels my motivation, and I eagerly anticipate the Vertical World Cup in 14 days. My goal for 2025 is definitely to reach the podium.”