The “Who’s Who” of the local sports elite gathered yesterday in the Wiener Stadthalle to choose their best at the Lotteries Sporthilfe Gala. It was supposed to be a victory lap for Austria’s Olympic heroes: surfer Valentin Bontus was clearly ahead in the vote by Austria’s sports journalists’ association Sports Media Austria, ahead of ski jumper Stefan Kraft and slalom ace Manuel Feller. “I didn’t expect that,” said the kitefoil Olympic champion. There was another reason to celebrate for the sailing association, as the team title went to Lara Vadlau and Lukas Mähr. The golden 470 crew of the Olympic regatta in Marseille clearly stood out from Austria’s football team, which had caused euphoria in Germany by reaching the European Championship round of 16. Austria’s handball players, who were so successful at the European Championships, had to settle for fourth place in the team rankings behind soccer double winner Sturm Graz, but were able to celebrate goalkeeper Constantin Möstl as the newcomer of the year.
Image: GEPA pictures
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Image: GEPA pictures
Things didn’t go as planned for Victoria Hudson at the Olympics given her exit in the preliminary competition, but the European javelin throw champion also made a big splash in the election for Female Athlete of the Year. The first winner from athletics since Ivona Dadic (2020) came in just ahead of downhill skier Cornelia Hütter (652) and climber Jessica Pilz (562) with 676 points.
Paris was also the deciding factor for the para athletes, with track and field athlete Natalija Eder and paracyclist Thomas Frühwirth receiving the coveted NIKI trophies.
Although Alaba had already been named Sportsman of the Year three times, the soccer star was present at the gala for the first time yesterday – as a laudator for Dominic Thiem. The ÖFB captain presented the 2020 US Open winner, who is ending his career this fall, with a special award. “This means very, very much to me,” said the outgoing tennis star. After the election is before the election: The OÖN, together with the Sportland and the ORF, are looking for Upper Austria’s athlete of the year. You can vote on from October 12th. The winners will be announced on December 3rd.
