For a handful of doughnuts: Venier Cup Children’s ski race on Rangger Köpfl

Tyrolean children practically get skiing with their mother's milk, as the saying goes. In fact, the love of skiing starts very early here. At Oberperfuss with a special program. Since 2017, the "Oberperfuss fährt Schi" (Oberperfuss goes skiing) initiative has been getting children excited about the most Austrian of all sports. The annual highlight of the campaign, the Venier Cup race, took place at the beginning of March. Named after Oberperfuss' Local Hero Stephanie Venier, ski ace and newly crowned Super-G World Champion 2025, of course.

Venier Cup: Ski race in Oberperfuss

You could hardly wish for a more beautiful day for a children's ski race: blue skies, mild temperatures and friendly snow conditions. Oberperfer On March 8, primary school children can finally show off what they have learned on the slopes over the past few months. Thanks to a cooperation between the two elementary school, the Oberperfuss sports club, the Oberperfuss cable cars and the Kleissl ski school, they were able to improve their skills as part of their PE lessons. Looking at the colorful gates brings back some nostalgia - as a child, the ski races of the local sports club were an unforgettable part of winter for me.

Children and their families are already crowded at the gondola lift. To get to Sulzstich, where the Venier Cup takes place, the public and the little racers have to go up two lifts. The third, which has only been available since this season, leads up to the summit of the Rangger Köpfls.

"Who adjusted your skis? Dad or grandpa?" asks a spectator to one of the children. Ski races are a family affair, the equipment has to be in top condition even for the youngest skiers. Everyone helps out.

How the Venier Cup got its name is quickly revealed. Right at the valley station, the ski area welcomes you with a large banner celebrating local heroine Stephanie Venier as world super-G champion. Venier grew up within sight of the ski area and is the patron of the Venier Cup. Who knows, maybe another future champion will be among the children skiing that day.

While families take leisurely turns down the slope away from the area cordoned off for the race, there is nothing leisurely about the race course itself. Relatives line the barriers, ready to cheer on their offspring - and the other children - at the top of their voices with the obligatory „hopp hopp hopp“. The fact that some of the participants are less than a meter tall does not mean that the race is not run professionally. Helpers at the start and finish ensure that everything runs smoothly during the timekeeping, a commentator provides the audience with information and the children with encouraging shouts. Two runners open the field, then the Venier Cup starts.

From the children's point of view, there is a lot at stake: at least three participants per class are required for the school class ranking, and the three fastest per class are ranked. The prize: a pallet of the coveted Venier doughnuts, which the bakery Ruetz donates to the children every year. Even in the gondola, there was a lively debate about how to divide up the reward according to the best doughnut arithmetic

One by one, the children mastered the gently curving slope, some at an impressive speed, others with the brave turns of the motivated newcomer. One child only started skiing six weeks ago, and his run is especially honored. Under the watchful eyes of family members, the race is fast - tight turns, a crest jumped over with verve, the odd missed gate. The last child receives a little guidance from a helper and successfully makes it to the finish line.

The race is over within an hour and as soon as the last turn has been made, the helpers quickly set about clearing up. Within minutes, the gates and barrier tape have disappeared and the ski area can resume normal operations. Instead, the terrace of the nearby restaurant is buzzing with excitement - the prize-giving ceremony is about to begin. While the organization makes final preparations in front of the photo wall, the children run around the playground - with their ski boots on, of course. What would give an adult's leg axis nightmares is child's play for the excited youngsters.

Then, finally, the award ceremony can begin. No, wait, one is still missing, as Manuel Hujara, managing director of the mountain railroads Oberperfuss and chairman of the Oberperfuss sports club, notes. "Mr. Direktooor", can already be heard from dozens of children's throats. Mr. Director hurries over and Hujara begins the award ceremony. It was the first race for many of the children, and the fastest girl and the fastest boy were announced first. They stand outside grinning from ear to ear, with a whole range of sugary memories just for themselves - unfortunately I couldn't see the expressions on their parents' faces.

In the group photos, "Krapfen" is appropriately chosen as the common code word for smiling and keeping eyes open. Anyone who knows the Tyrolean dialect knows that nothing makes a more photogenic face than this word, shouted with fervor. The higher the class ranking, the greater the enthusiasm among the children, who are placed in a semicircle around Hujara in front of the photo wall. When it comes to the podium places, one or two of them are already biting their caps with excitement. Frenetic cheering after the announcement of fourth place - the other classes now know that they are guaranteed a top position. Shrieks, laughter and jubilation almost drown out the announcement of first and second place. I dare to bet on one thing: After this experience, the children will remain loyal to skiing for the time being.

Images, unless otherwise indicated: Theresa Kirchmair