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ItalianoUpdated 19.05.2023
The countdown is on: 34 Austrian athletes will compete at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 (WMTRC) in the Innsbruck-Stubai region. From 6 to 10 June 2023, they will compete with the world's top athletes on the four courses Vertical, Mountain Classic, Trail Short and Trail Long and run for top places.
The World Championships in Tyrol are fast approaching. About 20 days before the start of the WMTRC 2023, the squads of the participating nations have already been determined. A total of about 1,600 participants from 70 nations are expected.
The Austrian Athletics Federation has nominated 34 runners for participation in the WMTRC in the Innsbruck-Stubai region, who will compete in all four distances: Vertical, Mountain Classic, Trail Short and Trail Long.
"It is great that Austria will be represented by a 34-member squad at the home World Championships - there has never been such a large delegation at such World Championships," says World Championships organiser Alexander Pittl. "On the one hand, this fact speaks for the qualities of the Austrian runners and for the commitment of the Austrian Athletics Federation, and on the other hand for the fundamental importance of this sport. In addition to the Austrian squad, we will welcome 69 other nations in Tyrol. We can look forward to exciting medal decisions and top performances."
Being nominated for World Championships and competing with the world's elite for the coveted medals is one thing, finishing on the podium is another. The competition in the various races is extremely fierce! However, the home advantage that the Austrian athletes will have at the World Championships should not be underestimated. This will be further strengthened by the spectator interest along the course.
Helmut Schmuck, two-time World and European champion in mountain running and multiple Austrian champion in the marathon, on the medal chances in mountain running: "Andrea Mayr has the best chances in the vertical and the women's team could also win a medal. In other competitions we are outsiders. I would be happy if we win a medal, I would be over-satisfied with two - because the competition is indeed very strong."
Gerhard Schiemer, former World Cup participant, ultra runner, coach and "trail running pope" of Austria, on the medal chances in trail running: "I see the best chances in the team classifications, especially in the men's trail short. Esther Fellhofer is the biggest hope in the long distance. The line-up in the men's race is also promising and here Mario Weiß and Alexander Hutter could make a very positive impression. It will be hard to win medals - but it's not the end of the day yet."
These are the athletes appointed by the ÖLV: Andrea Mayr (SV Schwechat), Karin Freitag (LG-Decker Itter), Sandrina Illes (Union St.Pölten), Anna Plattner (LG-Decker Itter), Manuel Innerhofer (LC Oberpinzgau), Martin Enzenberger (TGW Zehnkampf-Union), Martin Mattle (TrailMotion Tirol), Florian Zeisler (IRL-Team HAPPY FITNESS 24h), Bernadette Schuster (SK VÖEST), Fabiola Fortschegger (U20) (Union Raika Lienz), Hanna Galler (U20) (Kolland Topsport Gaal), Fabian Hennerbichler (U20) (TGW Decathlon Union), Maximilian Meusburger (U20) (im Wald läuft`s), Niklas Scherb (U20) (TGW Decathlon Union), Isabell Bichler (LC-Niederwies-Kössen), Johanna Hiemer (Union Pottenstein), Anja Neumann (A.H. De Bettin Sparkasse SKG), Michaela Pilat (Austrian Skyrunning & Trailrunning Association), Hans-Peter Innerhofer (LC Oberpinzgau), Sebastian Falkensteiner (LC Oberpinzgau), Gerhard Kaufmann (Sparkasse SG Götzis), Dominik Matt (LG-Decker Itter), Andreas Rieder (LG-Decker Itter), Bruno Schumi (LG-Decker Itter), Esther Fellhofer (SC LT Breitenbach), Veronika Haas (LC Waldviertel), Yvonne Keil (SK Rueckenwind), Claudia Rosegger (Kolland Topsport Gaal), Florian Grasel (Ultralaufteam Heustadlwasser), Jakob Herrmann (Kolland Topsport Gaal), Alexander Hutter (TEAM F7), Michael Skobierski (team2012.at), Christian Stern (SV Raiba Stubai), Mario Weiss (ULC Riverside Mödling).