The Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup kicked off on January 5-6, 2025, at the Villacher Alpen Arena, welcoming 70 competitors from 16 nations. This year's event, dubbed the "Damen Skisprung Weltcup", drew approximately 1,000 fans, highlighting the importance of sports tourism to the region.
Landeshauptmann Peter Kaiser emphasized the benefits of the event, stating, "The sports year cannot start anybetter," highlighting the synergy between sports and tourism. The return of this prestigious competition for the third time is seen as validation of the high-quality sports infrastructure and the collaboration between organizers, associations, sponsors, and the government of Kärnten.
The Villacher Alpen Arena, used year-round by various national and youth teams, stands as a cornerstone for the promotion of women's ski jumping. Kaiser acknowledged the potential for growth within the sport, saying there is enormous value to be gained from supporting women's ski jumping.
Sports Director Arno Arthofer shared his sentiments about the successful organization of the event, giving credit to all involved. He noted, "We are proud to host the Women's Ski Jumping World Cup this year for the third time."
Further support came from Villach's Sports Council member and representatives from local ski associations, all eager to promote the importance of hosting such significant events for Kärnten's image and economy, mostly through the media coverage and local engagement. A total of 17 television stations provided live coverage, bringing the excitement of the competition to audiences worldwide.
The qualifiers for the first competition began at 10 AM on January 5, with thrilling performances. France's Joséphine Pagnier and Emma Chervet made headlines by finishing 18th and 34th respectively, showcasing the growing prowess of French women ski jumpers. By the end of the qualifiers, Germany’s Katharina Schmid led with 97 meters, edging out Nika Prevc from Norway, who registered 102 meters and Alexandria Loutitt from Canada with 99 meters.
Notably, the Austrian ski jumping team aims to overcome the overshadowing successes of their male counterparts, striving to make their mark on the circuit with representatives like Lisa Eder and Eva Pinkelnig. Eder, who is currently fifth overall, expressed her readiness for the challenge, saying, "I hope many people will come to watch us."
Bernhard Metzler, head coach of the Austrian team, is hopeful about the upcoming competitions, stating, "We have had some good performances, but there's still room for improvement." He acknowledged the recent adjustments to the jumps' structure as beneficial for the athletes, saying, "The table has been slightly inclined. This change impacts the jump dynamics positively."
A key focus for the Austrian team is consistency, as they prepare for other competitions leading up to the World Championships. "The World Championships are still not our main focus. We will take it step by step after Villach, with competitions lined up in Sapporo, Zao, Willingen, Lake Placid, Ljubno, and Hinzenbach," Metzler remarked as he aimed to build momentum through this competition.
The combined efforts of local government, sports officials, and athletes themselves promise to make this year's Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup not only thrilling for competitors but also significant for the local communities involved.