For the second time in eight years, the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Championships will take place in the internationally renowned biking region from 4 to 6 September. A little less than a year before the major event, the organisers looked ahead at a press conference. In addition to spectacular sporting action, thousands of fans and a major event with international appeal are expected. Back in 2012, the path to the world championship title led via the ‘Speedster’ in the Leogang Bike Park. Back then, 12,000 people lined the track to watch the spectacular races of the world's elite live over root carpets, through steep bends and high-speed passages. Eight years later, the experienced World Cup venue is now writing another chapter in World Championship history. From 4 to 6 September 2020, the riders will once again battle for the coveted rainbow jerseys at the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Championships in Saalfelden Leogang: ‘Being able to host another World Championships after eight years confirms that we not only stage exciting races and offer a good infrastructure, but also that the entire team works together perfectly. We can also draw on a wealth of experience as an organiser and have shown that we are a reliable partner,’ explains Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik: ’The eyes of the international mountain bike scene will be on us again with the Downhill World Championships. We can once again emphasise our status as a bike destination.’ And the Managing Director of Leoganger Bergbahnen, Kornel Grundner, also knows: ‘With the support of the federal government, state, municipality and landowners, we will do everything we can to organise another unforgettable World Championships.’ Leo Bauernberger, MBA, Managing Director of SalzburgerLand Tourismus GmbH, emphasises the appeal of this major event: ‘The third UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in SalzburgerLand is hugely important for cycling in Austria. 13 per cent of our guests come to SalzburgerLand because of our mountain bike offer and we are very happy that Saalfelden Leogang is so committed to this incredibly important sport and has created a unique centre of excellence within Europe.’ Cross-border cooperation with the Cross Country World Championships in Albstadt For the 2020 World Championships, the Pinzgau World Cup and World Cup organisers are pulling together with the venue of the Cross Country World Championships, the German town of Albstadt. In addition to a combined ticket, which offers all fans a weekend in both Saalfelden Leogang and Albstadt for just 99 euros, there is also a joint appearance in the bidding and sponsor approach. ‘We negotiate together in terms of TV production and broadcast times, this symbiosis naturally helps us to get the best out of each venue and to bundle our interests,’ says Pointner. This year's Downhill World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada, also saw a joint bid from the two European World Championship venues in 2020. „Speedster“: Einige Veränderungen, gleichbleibender Thrill Wer sich im September 2020 für die darauffolgenden zwölf Monate das berühmte Regenbogen-Jersey überstreifen will, der muss in Saalfelden Leogang sowohl in Sachen Konzentration, als auch Kondition und Fahrtechnik sein gesamtes Können an den Tag legen. Die WM-Strecke „Speedster“, die in der Gravitiy-Szene als anspruchsvolle Herausforderung bekannt ist, wird bei der WM 2020 mit einigen zusätzlichen Adaptionen glänzen. Klar ist: Den zukünftigen Weltmeistern muss ein makelloser Run gelingen. Home advantage for Höll at first Elite World Championships Valentina ‘Vali’ Höll, who knows the trails in ‘The Epic Bikepark Leogang’ like the back of her hand, knows this too. She has already competed twice in the junior class in the World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang - she clearly dominated both appearances. In 2019, she skied to a winning time that would even have been enough for third place in the women's elite class. In 2020, the 17-year-old local heroine is now old enough to compete in the elite women's event and is considered a great red-white-red medal hope: ‘Not every athlete in our sport gets the chance to compete at a home World Championships during their active career. For me, this will be my first elite year and therefore special in many respects. Of course, a medal would be an absolute dream. But everyone is training for it and I still have to go to school next year, so I'll have to see how I can optimise my time. Of course I will prepare myself as well as possible, because I want to make Austria proud,’ explains the Saalbach native. At the press conference organised by the World Championships organisers in the Jochen Schweizer Arena in Taufkirchen, a long-standing partner of the Saalfelden Leogang tourism region, Germany's medal hopeful Nina Hoffmann also expressed her enthusiasm for the World Championships in Saalfelden Leogang: ‘I'm really looking forward to it, there will be lots of friends and family there. We already had a mega atmosphere last year. Leogang is definitely worthy of the World Championships,’ says last year's World Cup runner-up in the elite women's category. New trails, new pump track The World Cup of the mountain bike downhill elite has been held regularly in Saalfelden Leogang for nine years now. The sporting action is traditionally accompanied by an extensive supporting programme, with music acts, parties, expo and more. According to Pointner, this will of course also be the case for the World Championships in September 2020: ‘Preparations are in full swing.’ A lot has also happened for hobby bikers in the now newly titled ‘The Epic Bikepark Leogang’ and the Saalfelden Leogang region in the recent past. New trails (‘Steinberg Line by Fox’, ‘Antonius Trail’, ‘Schwarzleo’ and ‘Forsthoftrail’), a new pump track and, for the first time, the ‘Steinbergbahn’ cable car for mountain bikers were put into operation in the summer.
For two days, the weekend warriors joined the Downhill legend in Epic Bikepark Leogang to shred the trails and to work on their skills. Besides skill- and technique sessions, the camp also offered an insight into how someone like Gwin, a five-time Overall World Cup Champion, prepares and trains for a World Cup season. Another important point of the camp was the Track Walk: finding lines, planning your run and turning your thoughts into reality when it counts the most. Video analysis sessions offered riders a chance to sit down one-on-one with Gwin to talk about their technique and what they can change to ride better, safer and faster. To get an inside look at how the participants did, how the camp was and the lessons that were learnt. We caught up with Elias Martin, Lukas Pachner and Michal Cermak to see what they thought about the Gwin camp. How was the Gwin Camp for you? Elias Martin: “It was extremely interesting and valuable for me, especially the Track Walk segment. It was cool to see how Aaron Gwin walks a track and picks his lines, especially when compared to someone like me. That was definitely impressive.” Michal Cermak: “Aaron was pretty awesome. He showed us new lines and made us better bikers. I also liked the chilled-out atmosphere. So, it was perfect.” Lukas Pachner: “In one word: awesome! I wasn’t sure what to expect, and what I experienced surpassed all expectations. To ride with someone like Aaron Gwin was incredible. I am super stoked that I could have been a part of it.” What did you learn during the camp that helped you as a rider? Elias: “I made a lot of progress during the camp, the most visible of which is line choice. I learnt a lot of lessons during that segment - how to find the right line, how to ride berms faster and how do I come out of a corner fast are all important for me to know.” Michal: “Aaron opened our minds. He showed us lines of which I thought they weren’t possible before the camp and told us the advantages of those. When I tried them myself, it opened a completely new world to me.” How was Aaron as a coach? Michal: “Aaron was incredible. He explained a lot and answered every question.” Lukas: „He was extremely open, took the time to talk to everyone and was also very relaxed. From what I saw, to ride with us and to show us how to properly ride was also fun for him.” What impressed you the most over the last few days? Elias: „The way that Aaron rockets down a track impressed me incredibly. The speed and the skill - that was amazing to see.” Michal: “To meet Aaron personally and to see how fast he can ride and to realize what is possible on the bike. It was also really nice to meet the others and have a chat about a shared passion.” What did you like most about the camp? Elias: „The togetherness experienced with the other camp participants. We were more or less on the same level and pushed each other to reach new limits.” Lukas: “The nature around Leogang and the bike park are just insane. I’m here more often because I like the area. The food, the Riederalm hotel, that was great. The organization was on point.” How would you summarize the camp? Elias: „I definitely learnt a lot of new things. The group was awesome, and Aaron was great. I would definitely participate again.” Michal: “It was really nice and very helpful. Now I know what to work on and I was able to find new stuff how to push myself forwards. So hopefully it will help me for my future races.” Lukas: „I really hope this camp will happen again next year and that I can be a part of it again.”
Following a successful Bike Festival, during which visitors were able to check out and test some of the hottest products for 2020, the next season highlight is already here. Mountain bikers of all levels can look forward to extending their bike season in Epic Bikepark Leogang, which will be open until 3 November this year, with something special happening on the weekend of 5 and 6 October, so save the date! Once again, the Epic Bikepark Leogang was host to a slew of mountain bike events that captured the hearts of mountain bikers from around the world. Last weekend, staying true to the motto of “Expo, Sport and Party”, 80 exhibitors gathered at the foot of the Asitz to show off more than 100 brands to about 8,000 interested visitors, showcasing some of the coolest products of the upcoming season. The expo was side-by-side with an action-packed schedule of competition highlights – the SCOTT Enduro Series, the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon, the GHOST Recon Ride, the Scott Junior Trophy and the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship Qualifier electrified spectators and riders alike. And the party isn’t over as the bike season continues with extended opening times. Flat out shredding until 3 November Riders can look forward to shredding the trails in and around Epic Bikepark Leogang until 3 November. The Asitzbahn gondola will take riders to their favorite trails until 20 October, at which point the Steinbergbahn Gondola will take over for the last two weeks of the season. Additionally, there are a number of classes on offer thanks to the bike school Elements Outdoorsports, where riders can book skill classes, guided bike tours and more. For the more adrenaline seeking riders, the Riders Playground, with its new 5,000 m² / 53,000 Sq ft. pump track, will also be open until the beginning of November. Another highlight of the endless bike summer is the traditional Leogang Fan Weekend. On 5 and 6 October, Epic Bikepark Leogang invites all interested riders for a Get-Together to say thanks to their shaper crew and their fans. Gondola tickets will be discounted by 20% and camping will be free, while there will also be a fun race on the Bongo Bongo trail on Saturday, a shreddy surprise on Sunday and further specials. It’s an endless bike summer indeed. With the bike season still in full swing, there is already something spectacular to look forward to for next year: Epic Bikepark Leogang will host the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz from 4 to 6 September 2020.
The successful second edition of the BIKE Festival heralded the start of the autumn season for mountain bikers in Saalfelden Leogang. Last weekend, around 8,000 visitors were not only able to test the latest models for the coming season at the large exhibition centre, but there were also five exciting bike competitions in the wide range of mountain biking disciplines. Tähti and Böttger win Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon The Austrian Andrea Böttger and the Finn Toni Tähti secured the long-distance titles at the classic race of the BIKE Festival, the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon on Saturday. Tähti dominated the 78-kilometre distance ahead of the German Lysander Kiesel and the young Austrian Philip Handl. The 22-year-old once again underlined his strong season with third place and proved that he is in good form for the upcoming Marathon World Championships in Switzerland. Pekoll celebrates enduro victory The participants in the SCOTT Enduro Series had to tackle five stages over a total of twelve kilometres and 1800 metres in altitude at the second classic competition as part of the festival. In the Elite Men category, a German trio came out on top, led by Oliver Kühn. In the Open Men category, Markus Pekoll, former Austrian downhill figurehead, utilised his home advantage and came out on top in his class. In the Open Women's category, the German enduro rider Helen Weber was able to celebrate. Clemens Bachmann (DE) led the Pro Masters classification. Austrian Jonas Göweil completed the five stages fastest in the Pro Junior Male category. SCOTT Junior Trophy, Ghost Recon Ride and the big qualifying for the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship rounded off the bike spectacle In addition to the festival classics - the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon on Saturday and the SCOTT Enduro Series on Sunday - the new Velosolutions pump track was also a hot favourite this year. In qualifying for the Red Bull Pump Track World Championships, the four best men and women secured a ticket for the grand final in Bern. Finally, 70 boys and girls stepped on the gas on Sunday at the Scott Junior Trophy, which also took place on the new pump track this year. Satisfied summary from the organisers The BIKE Festival was the crowning glory of a summer of events that began back in June with the Out of Bounds Festival, explains Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik: ‘The weather was fantastic, the trails were in perfect condition and the Expo was a hive of activity over the three days of the event. Particularly popular: the latest 2020 models, which visitors were able to test out on one of the many trails in the bike park. Even before the expo opened on the last day of the festival, visitors were queuing to get their hands on one of the coveted test bikes. Numerous well-known brands from the industry used the weekend as a stage for their new products. An all-round successful festival,’ says Pointner.
The Asitz is the mountain of the senses. And there really is a lot to experience here. For the sporty and adventurous, there is ‘The Epic Bikepark’ and the Flying Fox XXL. Families feel particularly at home in the ‘Sinne Park’ and those seeking relaxation can relax at the ‘Stille Wasser’ reservoir or simply enjoy the natural cinema. After a short break in November, the Asitz starts the winter season before Christmas. The pistes then offer access via Saalbach and Hinterglemm to Fieberbrunn. And with the new Ski ALPIN CARD ski pass, you can even reach the snow-sure glacier of the Kitzsteinhorn in Kaprun. Biking in the Riders Playground or on the pump track at the valley station The mountain experience begins at the foot of the Asitz with plenty of action: right next to the valley station of the Asitzbahn is the Riders Playground, a practice area for beginners, and a 5,000 square metre pump track. On the new, tarmac pump track, beginners can learn to roll all the lines using the so-called pressure technique without pedalling and with contact with the ground. The Riders Playground offers beginner lines with a conveyor belt up to the 800 metre long Greenhorn line. Here you can practise and shred for all you're worth on safe terrain. Children, as well as adults, can try out the longer and more challenging lines in a relaxed manner in the Riders Playground. The Epic Bikepark in Leogang is extremely versatile and is constantly being expanded. This year, over one million euros were invested in the infrastructure and four new trails and lines were built. New: Nature plays its very own film in the nature cinema on the Sonnkogel Things are much quieter at the summit of the Asitz. Just a 30-minute walk from the mountain station, the nature cinema on the Sonnkogel promises great cinema. There are cosy wooden loungers and chairs on various plateaus and even a few hammocks. Once you have found your favourite spot, all you have to do is sit or lie down and enjoy the panoramic views of nature. The Leoganger Steinberge, the Steinerne Meer in Saalfelden, clouds and sky create a new, fascinating spectacle every day. Sharpen all five senses at the middle station: Listening island, water world and barefoot path A few metres further down, next to the middle station of the Asitzbahn, there is a real adventure paradise: the Senses Park. Here you can feel and sense, listen and taste, smell and look very closely. Visitors are guided through the world of the senses at around 30 stations. On the barefoot path, you can feel the ground with your bare feet, the scent tree is all about recognising everyday smells, in the herb garden you can learn about the numerous medicinal plants and culinary herbs and how best to use them. The listening island sharpens your sense of hearing for the sounds of the forest, the sound column lets you feel how sounds vibrate, and the rotating panels allow your eyes to react to optical phenomena. In Leo's water world, you can also walk over a small waterfall and wade through a Kneipp pool. Incidentally, the Senses Park is freely accessible and also offers interesting insights for adults. Right next to the Sinne Park is the starting point for a real flying adventure. With a length of 1,600 metres, a height of up to 143 metres and possible top speeds of 130 kilometres per hour, the Flying Fox XXL is one of the fastest and longest steel cable slides in the world. Calm down by the still waters of the reservoir pond A visit to the reservoir pond above the Sinne Park is the exact opposite of the adrenalin-fuelled Flying Fox flight. The installations around the lake are called ‘Still Waters’. Loungers, viewing terraces, a floating platform and other water elements offer the perfect places to relax and enjoy nature in peace and quiet. Hike through the open-air gallery on the art trail The art trail leads from the middle station up to the Asitzbahn mountain station. On the forest path, you can view a new work of art every 50 metres or so. Every year, this hiking trail is dedicated to a different artist. In 2019, Leogang painter Albert Dschulnigg will be exhibiting expressive acrylic paintings, portraits and scenes from life. Climbing, hanging, swinging - the play hiking trail for children Below the summit of the Großer Asitz, children can really let off steam on the play trail. Along an easy path, there are various play equipment such as a climbing tree, pull-up and balancing beams, swings and even a small rope slide. With the Saalfelden Leogang Card, which is valid all year round, you can use the Asitzbahn cable car as a pedestrian and ski down the pistes of the Skicircus and the Kitztsteinhorn with the new Ski ALPIN CARD All summer adventure offers on the Asitz are open in autumn 2019 until 20 October and can be easily visited with the practical Saalfelden Leogang Card: The guest card offers, among other things, a free ascent and descent with the Asitzbahn cable car every day, where you can even take your bike with you. In winter, pedestrians can also use one ascent and descent a day with this card - handy if you want to go tobogganing, for example. From the 2019/2020 winter season, skiers can use the ‘Ski ALPIN CARD’ not only to ski on the 270 kilometres of pistes in the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, but also in the Schmittenhöhe ski area in Zell am See and the snow-sure Kitzsteinhorn glacier ski area in Kaprun - a total of 408 kilometres.
In addition to the large outdoor trade fair, a packed timetable awaits with five bike competitions. 5000 festival visitors, 80 exhibitors and 1000 active participants - with these impressive figures, the BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang is entering its second round from 13 to 15 September. The three festival days will herald the start of the autumn season for mountain bikers with their exciting bike competitions. In addition to plenty of all-round action, five sporting highlights await, including two series finals. As the race highlight of the festival weekend, the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon on Saturday surprises with a new route and is also the finale of the marathon series, which started in Riva del Garda, Italy, at the beginning of May. Marathon beginners can try their hand at the shortest version in Saalfelden Leogang with 32 kilometres and 1500 metres of elevation gain, while the pros compete on the long distance with 78 kilometres and 3400 metres of elevation gain. With the medium distance of 66 kilometres and 2800 vertical metres, there is also a third variant for ambitious amateur bikers. The common denominator of all three distances is a new section of the route: the Steinbergline by FOX is integrated into each course and swings from the mountain station of the Asitz cable car over ten kilometres into the valley. Technical riding highlights such as the Hangman II or Matzalmtrail, beautiful landscapes in the Schwarzleotal valley and fantastic views from the Asitz summit also await. The festival in Saalfelden Leogang starts on Friday with the GHOST Recon Ride, a trail and fun event for everyone. A new competition is also part of the programme: for the first time, amateur bikers can qualify for the Red Bull Pumptrack World Championships in Bern via the elimination round in Leogang. Final of the SCOTT Enduro Series After the Open Night on Saturday, the Scott Enduro Series really gets down to business on Sunday. Enduro riders can expect crisp single trails with new sections and technical challenges on the route from Leogang to Saalbach Hinterglemm. Alongside the marathon, the enduro race format has become an integral part of the BIKE Festival calendar. The top riders of the season will be crowned in six categories: Elite Women and Men, Pro Masters and in the licence-free classes Open Men, Open Women and Open Junior Male. In addition to the respective daily winners, the overall winners of the Enduro Series will also be crowned at the final race in Saalfelden Leogang. Last but not least, the youngest riders will also be able to get their first taste of racing at the Scott Junior Trophy as part of the BIKE Festival. Once again this year: after the Eurobike is before the BIKE Festival. That's why the Expo Area will once again feature all the relevant new products for 2020 from over 80 well-known manufacturers to marvel at, touch and try out.
The ÖFB stayed at the Hotel Gut Brandlhof for a total of five days and is now being looked after by the team led by the hotelier family Alexander Strobl and Birgit Maier. The Austrian national team is preparing intensively for the upcoming matches on the perfectly prepared football pitches in the region. The European Championship qualifier against Latvia takes place in Salzburg on Friday and three days later in Warsaw against league leaders Poland. Statements: Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik: "Saalfelden Leogang has now made a name for itself beyond the borders as a destination for football training camps. The basic prerequisite is that, in addition to a perfect infrastructure, you also offer a great hotel industry and here we can score with high quality in Saalfelden Leogang." Hannes Empl, Managing Director of SLFC Soccer GmbH: "The many years of very successful collaboration and exclusive partnership with Hotel Gut Brandlhof show that we have created a product that even attracts the local national team back to Salzburger Land after six years. We are delighted about this and wish the team all the best for the upcoming qualifying matches." Thomas Baliamis, Director Hotel Gut Brandlhof: "We are proud to welcome a national team, and above all "our" national team, to the Brandlhof after such a short time. This is a confirmation for our hotel, our departments and our greenkeepers. It's great to see how the football project is now bearing fruit and we look forward to what's to come."
After the jazz festival last week, the focus in Saalfelden this weekend was on traditional sounds. Music was played and celebrated on a total of three stages in the town centre at the state-wide Bauernherbst opening. The programme ranged from the Bürgermusik Saalfelden and the Saalfeldener Holzmusi with their unusual instruments to the brass band Juvavum 8 and innovative folk and world music from the Salzburger Nockerl. At the craft market, visitors could experience the work of wood turners, wood carvers, basket weavers, blacksmiths and carpenters up close. Or watch a carpenter create a real "Pinzga fence" - a craft that only a few people still master, even in the region. Among the guests at the festival in Saalfelden were Provincial Councillor for Agriculture Josef Schwaiger, Provincial Farmer Elisabeth Hölzl, SalzburgerLand Tourismus Managing Director Leo Bauernberger, Chamber of Agriculture President Rupert Quehenberger, Saalfelden Mayor Erich Rohrmoser, Silvester Gfrerer from the Salzburger Alm- und Bergbauernverein, Michael Porenta from the Raiffeisenverband Salzburg, Daniela Kinz from Salzburg AG and the team from Stiegl Brauwelt and SalzburgMilch. Parade: "The forest, the wood - our roots" As always, the traditional Harvest Festival parade was the major highlight of the opening of the nationwide Harvest Festival. The farmers from the region, together with the local customs and traditional associations, brought this year's Harvest Festival motto "Of roots and treetops" to life. The numerous visitors along the parade route in the town centre applauded the creative design of old floats, horse-drawn carriages and vintage tractors - before the "fifth season" in SalzburgerLand was officially ushered in with the Stiegl beer tapping. Schwaiger: "Harvest festival rooted in the land" "The Bauernherbst motto once again underlines how great the longing of guests and locals for an intact natural and forest habitat is," said Provincial Councillor for Agriculture Josef Schwaiger in his opening speech. "Every year at the Harvest Festival, the well-functioning cooperation between tourism and agriculture is particularly evident. The large number of participating farmers shows how deeply rooted the Harvest Festival is in the province of Salzburg." Guests and locals at one table Of course, the Harvest Festival also includes the right culinary delights. Visitors to the festival were able to sample home-made regional quality products and traditional dishes from the farmhouse kitchen at many Harvest Festival stands. For example, guests who were on holiday in SalzburgerLand and visited the festival were able to enjoy home-pressed juices, herbal specialities, apple wheels or "Pinzgauer Bladl" (filled dumplings). Bauernberger: "Ideal example of sustainable tourism" "The Salzburg Harvest Festival brings guests and locals together at one table. This is its particular strength and the main reason why it is now the best-known tourist product brand in SalzburgerLand," says Leo Bauernberger, Managing Director of SalzburgerLand Tourismus GmbH. "The Harvest Festival spans an authentic arc from the work and way of life of our farmers to genuine customs and traditional crafts to regional dishes and homemade products straight from the farm. This makes it an ideal example of sustainable tourism. It is close to nature, strengthens regional cycles and brings added value from tourism directly to the people in the Salzburg regions." A total of 72 Harvest Festival communities are part of the 24th Salzburg Harvest Festival this year. Up to and including 3 November, around 2,000 events are on the programme, with more than 500,000 visitors expected once again.
Last week, the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cross-Country and Downhill Championships were held in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada). The organisers of the 2020 World Championships, Saalfelden Leogang and Albstadt, were also on site. On 31 August, the new venues were able to present themselves to journalists, teams, athletes and national teams. Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik and organiser of the World Championships in Leogang is delighted: "More than 150 trade media and representatives of various associations and teams came. The presentation together with Albstadt was a complete success. We are really looking forward to the World Championships in Leogang from 4-6 September 2020." Kornel Grundner and Marco Pointner from the Downhill World Championships in Leogang and Jo Triller, Stephan Salscheider and Anton Reger, organisers of the Cross-Country World Championships in Albstadt, were also present. Kornel Grunder, Managing Director of Leoganger Bergbahnen/Bikepark Leogang and organiser of the World Championships in Leogang on the presentation: "We work closely with Albstadt in many areas and are delighted that we were able to showcase ourselves together in front of such a large specialist audience. We are now ready for the Downhill World Championships next year and wish our colleagues from Germany all the best for the Cross-Country World Championships." The downhill final took place on Sunday in Mont-Sainte-Anne and delivered a magnificent racing spectacle. Marco Pointner and Kornel Grundner were there live and were able to congratulate local hero Vali Höll on winning the Junior World Championship title once again.The Saalbach native claimed her second Junior World Championship victory in a row.
The festival was completely revamped for its anniversary. The organisers worked feverishly for over a year on the further development of the festival and implemented their visionary ideas with great passion. Over 80 concerts, 60 of which were free to attend, delighted several thousand visitors. Numerous new stages were created. A festival centre was built on the town square in front of the Congress with its own concert stage and a young and attractive catering concept. Another new feature was the stage in Saalfelden town park - a meeting place in the middle of the countryside. Artists in residence projects by Maja Osojnik and Lukas König were staged in an old, empty district court as well as in the Fuchs bookbindery. Other highlights were the numerous flash mobs in unusual locations, for which the artist Lukas Kranzelbinder spontaneously joined forces with other musicians. The Ranch, the place where it all began in 1978, was used again for the first time. The Sketchbook Quartet and Wolfgang Puschnig with "Fulsome X" performed here on Wednesday. The concert was completely sold out. Due to the heavy rain, the new concert tour with Lukas Kranzelbinder, Jim Black and other great musicians unfortunately had to be cut short. Instead, there were concerts in an intimate setting in the cable cars, followed by an invitation to the Alte Schmiede. The tried-and-tested stages such as the Mainstage, Almkonzerte, Shortcuts, Nexus+ and City Tracks were also a complete success once again. Organiser Marco Pointner is delighted: "We broke the record this year and achieved over 25,000 concert visits. We are more than thrilled. The new stages have been wonderfully well received by the audience!" The festival is traditionally opened by an Austrian artist who is commissioned to perform a project. This year, the choice fell on the young bassist Manu Mayr, who presented himself in a duo with Susanna Gartmayer. A real highlight was the 18-piece Orjazztra Vienna, founded by Christian Muthspiel. Numerous international artists also came to perform: Sylvie Courvoisier from the USA presented her new album with Ken Vandermark, Nate Wooley and Tom Rainey, as did saxophonist Anna Webber. France's vibrant jazz scene was presented by the unusual trio Abacaxi with guitarist Julien Deprez and the duo Theo Ceccaldi and Roberto Negro. The energetic Mette Rasmussen brought the audience to boiling point during the short cuts. The exceptional saxophonist Joshua Redman, together with Ron Miles, Scott Colley and Dave King, ensured a successful finale on the main stage. Neon and the Deons, Buntspecht, Carney Villains and Shirley Davis & The Silverbacks got the crowd dancing. Lukas König and Maja Osojnik took the guests into the future and provided some WOW moments with the Artists in Residence projects. Mario Steidl, Artistic Director: "We have managed to turn the jazz festival into a music festival for the whole city. With a unique flair, with great music to discover and with opportunities for numerous musicians to develop and meet. Saalfelden is at the forefront of the international jazz festival circus!" Facts and figures about the 40th International Jazz Festival Saalfelden_ A total of 230 artists from 19 nations (Austria, Germany, USA, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Finland, England, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Bhutan, Haiti, Denmark, Slovenia, Iran, Belgium, Poland, Turkey) A total of 250 journalists and organisers from 18 nations (Austria, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, Israel, Finland, France, Norway, England, Turkey, Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, Serbia, Russia, Slovakia, USA) Approx. 25,000 concert visitors over five days 98% capacity utilisation on the Mainstage. ShortCuts and Ranch concert were completely sold out. 83 concerts at 15 venues, 60 of them with free admission Total added value: approx. 2.5 million euros SAVE THE DATE: The 41st Saalfelden Jazz Festival will take place from 20 to 23 August 2020.
