After Injury Misfortune: ÖSV Skier Receives Fixed World Cup Spot
After an injury, Carmen Spielberger missed four World Cup races last season. Thanks to a rule change, she now gets a new chance.
24-year-old Carmen Spielberger is one of the rising speed athletes for the ÖSV.
In the winter of 2024/25, the Carinthian athlete secured a fixed spot for the downhill races of the 2025/26 Ski World Cup season with her performances in the Europa Cup. However, she missed most of the past winter due to injury.
Rule Change Gives Spielberger New Chance
With a 28th place in Zauchensee, Spielberger even managed to collect her first World Cup points. Just one week after this result, however, the 24-year-old crashed in training in Tarvis and had to end her season prematurely.
Spielberger missed a total of four World Cup downhill races after earning her fixed World Cup spot in the Europa Cup. Due to a rule change requested by the ÖSV, the Carinthian athlete is now allowed to make up for the missed races in the following season.
Spielberger confirmed this to "Krone": "That's how it went through. My information is that I have my starting spot for the first four downhill races," she said, delighted.
In the Starting Gate in Beaver Creek?
With her fixed spot, Spielberger could be in the starting gate for the Beaver Creek World Cup downhill as early as December 11. The Carinthian clearly states her season goal: "To gain as many World Cup appearances as possible and to finish in the top 30."
The World Championship in Crans Montana is also a topic for Spielberger. It is not the main goal, "as I still have too little World Cup experience for that. But it is a dream."
