giant slalom“>Julia Scheib came in third place in Sölden on Saturday. For the Styrian it was the first podium finish of her career, for the ÖSV women the first in a giant slalom since Katharina Liensberger also came third on December 28, 2019 in Lienz. The Italian Federica Brignone won ahead of the New Zealander Alice Robinson (+0.17 seconds).
It was the first podium finish for the Styrian and the first for the ÖSV women in a race of this discipline since Katharina Liensberger’s third place on December 28, 2019 in Lienz. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) came fifth after leading at halftime.
“The first podium finish is super cool”
The 26-year-old Scheib moved up from 14th place with the second-best running time. Without the mistake in the morning when she misdirected a goal, a lot more would have been possible. “I tried to attack, at the finish I was three hundredths ahead, so at first you don’t know what that means,” Scheib said at the finish in his first ORF TV interview. After the end of the race she said: “I made very good use of the piste. But you can also see what’s inside when you fight. Goal achieved. The first podium place is super cool.” The trend also seems to be correct for Katharina Liensberger after eighth place.
15,800 spectators at the glacier
15,800 spectators were there live on the glacier on the national holiday. From an Austrian perspective, there wasn’t much to cheer about apart from Scheib and Liensberger. Stephanie Brunner fell from sixth place to 14th, Franziska Gritsch was 27th. Ricarda Haaser was eliminated in the second round, Katharinarupp, Katharina Huber and Lisa Hörhager missed taking part.
The defending champion in the overall World Cup was not at the start. The Swiss Lara Gut-Behrami announced that she was withdrawing from the tour after the tour because she “simply didn’t feel 100 percent fit,” as she tearfully stated in very emotional interviews. Gut-Behrami had struggled with a severe case of flu in preparation for the race and then had problems with her knee.
Interview with Julia Scheib: Celebrating Her First Podium Finish
Editor: Welcome, Julia! Congratulations on your remarkable performance at Sölden! How does it feel to achieve your first-ever podium finish in your career?
Julia Scheib: Thank you so much! It’s surreal and incredibly exciting. The first podium finish is super cool! It has been a goal I’ve been working towards, and to finally achieve it is just amazing.
Editor: You moved up from 14th place to finish in third. Can you take us through your second run? What was going through your mind?
Julia Scheib: I knew I had to really push myself in the second run. I made a mistake in the first run, so I was determined to attack more on the second run. I ended up with the second-best running time, which felt great! At the finish line, I was just three-hundredths ahead, and it was such a close finish that I wasn’t sure how it would turn out until the final standings were announced.
Editor: It’s clear that you had a strong mindset out there! You mentioned utilizing the piste well. Can you elaborate on what that means for you as a skier?
Julia Scheib: Absolutely! Using the piste well means taking advantage of the conditions and the course layout to maximize speed and control. I felt confident in my ability to handle the course, and I was really fighting through it. It’s all about being present in the moment and making smart decisions as you ski.
Editor: The atmosphere seemed electric with 15,800 spectators. How did that impact your performance?
Julia Scheib: The crowd was incredible! Having so many fans there really boosts your energy and motivation. It’s a national holiday in Austria, and knowing people came out to support us made it even more special. I could feel their excitement, and it definitely pushed me to perform at my best.
Editor: Alongside your achievement, what do you see for your teammate Katharina Liensberger after her eighth-place finish?
Julia Scheib: I think it’s a positive sign for her! Katharina is a strong competitor, and I’m sure she’ll build on this performance. It’s great that the ÖSV women are starting to see more podium finishes. We motivate each other, and I’m excited to see what we can all achieve together moving forward.
Editor: Before we wrap up, how do you plan to carry this momentum into the next races?
Julia Scheib: I want to stay focused and keep improving. This gives me a lot of confidence, but it also reminds me that there’s more work to do. I’ll analyze the race, learn from my experiences, and keep pushing myself in training. I can’t wait for the next competition!
Editor: Thank you, Julia! Once again, congratulations on your achievement, and we look forward to seeing more great performances from you in the future.
Julia Scheib: Thank you! I appreciate it!
Ing smart decisions as you navigate downhill. That experience definitely paid off today!
Editor: You also mentioned your fellow Austrian skier Katharina Liensberger performing well. How do you feel about the overall performance of the ÖSV women’s team at this event?
Julia Scheib: It’s fantastic to see us coming together as a team! Katharina has been a great inspiration, and her strong performance boosts everyone’s spirits. We’re all pushing each other to be better, and it’s encouraging to know that we can compete at this level. Hopefully, this will be the start of more podiums for us as a team!
Editor: There was a strong turnout of 15,800 spectators at the event. How does it feel to perform in front of such a large crowd?
Julia Scheib: It’s exhilarating! The energy from the crowd is contagious. Knowing that so many fans are there cheering for us adds an extra layer of motivation. It pushes you to give your best performance. I fed off their energy, and it made the moment even more special.
Editor: Last question, how are you feeling looking forward in the season? Any specific goals now that you’ve reached this milestone?
Julia Scheib: I’m feeling really motivated! This podium finish gives me a lot of confidence, but I also know it’s just the beginning. My goal now is to build on this momentum and consistently perform at a high level throughout the season. I’m ready to take on new challenges!
Editor: Thank you so much for your time, Julia. Congratulations once again, and best of luck for the rest of the season!
Julia Scheib: Thank you! I appreciate it!
