Major junior events

Salzburgers within striking distance of the podium

Matthias Fernsebner took downhill bronze on the starting day.(Bild: GEPA)

The speed specialists made the start! The Alpine Junior World Championships in Tarvisio (Italy) brought the first medal from Salzburg on day one. And a talented luger continued the success story, taking silver at the Junior European Championships in Sigulda (Lat).

Disappointment still prevailed in the girls' event, as last year's double silver medallist Viktoria Bürgler (SC Dienten) was eliminated in the sprint downhill in run one shortly before the finish and Emilia Herzgsell from USC Altenmarkt-Zauchensee finished 18th, 2.97 seconds behind.

But the sun was shining again for the boys who followed. After the first run, Matthias Fernsebner (SC Martin bei Lofer) was still in fourth place ex aequo. In the second run, he took 24 hundredths from the Tyrolean Matteo Haas, who was on the same time, and benefited from the fact that the Swiss leader Manser slipped almost to the bottom of the rankings (46th place), 5.16 (!) behind the winner Felix Roesle (D). That meant bronze for the 19-year-old!

Viktoria Bürgler unfortunately dropped out shortly before the finish.(Bild: GEPA)

ÖSV Junior Director Harald Kirchmair was delighted: "Matthias was able to deliver his absolute best performance today. He has enormous gliding skills, which he used perfectly today on the shortened course and thus took advantage of the moment."

Fernsebner was delighted: "Cool and a tremendous feeling! It was really difficult to get used to the conditions and racing a sprint downhill in two runs was something special and unusual for us. I stayed focused and knew after fourth place in the first run that anything was still possible. Bronze is certainly the biggest success of my career."

Next medal for Kallan
There was also jubilation in Sigulda, Latvia, almost 1750 kilometers away. Although Noah Kallan from Eben says that the course there does not suit him much, the 20-year-old raced to silver. His next medal, after the reigning European runner-up had already won bronze at the Junior World Championships in St. Moritz this year. Gold went to compatriot Fabio Zauser, who was seven hundredths ahead, and bronze to Germany's Marco Leger. "I'm happy for the fact that things didn't go so well all week," said Kallan afterwards. But there won't be more than a quick "huddle" to celebrate, as there is still a Junior World Cup in the Baltic States on Saturday.