Season finale awaits

Battle for overall victory becomes a race against time

It's not just the World Cup that is entering its grand finale in Saalbach and the last crystal globes are being awarded. The big showdown in the European Cup also awaits tomorrow in Norway, where there is something even more coveted than trophies to be won. Also for a woman from Vorarlberg who is not quite fit at the moment

The fixed tickets for the new season, which are available for the top 3 in each discipline ranking and the "jackpot ticket" for the overall EC winners in the men's and women's events, which entitles the winner to compete in all disciplines in the World Cup winter 24/25. Emily Schöpf from Vorarlberg is right in the middle of the race for this "super ticket".

Ahead of the last four decisions - one downhill, one super-G, one giant slalom and one slalom - the 23-year-old from Tschagguns is in second place overall, just one point behind Janine Schmitt (Sz). The problem: Schöpf injured her leg during RTL training a week ago, has already had to miss the two "giants" in Aal and will also be absent from the final in this discipline. "As things stand at the moment, I won't be getting back into my ski boots for the first downhill training session until Tuesday," says the army athlete, for whom the overall EC victory would only be a bonus anyway. After all, she has already won the downhill classification early and secured her ticket.

Zwischenbrugger with damage limitation
Mellau's Noel Zwischenbrugger also wants to do the same in the giant slalom. But things didn't go to plan on Thursday in Trysil (Nor). "With 14th place, I was at least able to limit the damage and as third overall, I now have it in my own hands in the final," says the 22-year-old.