Virtus Open: Kitzbühel takes centre stage for world-class sport and active inclusion

Just two weeks after the Hahnenkamm Races, Kitzbühel was back on the international stage of alpine ski racing. At the Virtus Open, athletes with intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome and autism delivered skiing at the very highest level – sending a powerful message, both sporting and social.

The Virtus Open Alpine Ski took place in Kitzbühel from 4 to 7 February, only two weeks after the Hahnenkamm Races, sending a strong sporting and social signal. Around 50 skiers from eight nations demonstrated at the highest international level what athletes with intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome and autism are capable of. The sporting competition (Super-G, giant slalom and slalom) was only one part of an event whose significance extended far beyond the world of skiing.

For four days, participants from Australia, the USA, France, Italy, Finland, Poland, Turkey and Austria made Kitzbühel an international meeting point for inclusive alpine skiing. The races were held on the newly created “Brunelle” racecourse on the Kitzbüheler Horn – a demanding slope that had already been tested in the preceding weeks by World Cup and Europa Cup athletes and was now officially inaugurated with international races.

“Our athletes are keen to demonstrate that they can compete at the highest level – on the best courses in the world,” emphasised Ian Conyers, a board member of Virtus, the international organisation promoting elite sport for athletes with intellectual disabilities. “All they need is attention and support from the local organising team – then they are ready. And fast.”

Another highlight was a visit to the Hahnenkamm, where Kitzbühel Ski Club invited the international guests to the start house of the Streif. The view across the Alps, a group descent down the legendary course, and spontaneous team photos created emotionally charged moments – as did the Italian team, who sang their national anthem on the terrace.

From a sporting perspective, skiing of the very highest standard was on display. In particular, 16-year-old French athlete Axel Bringdal (Class II3, autism) dominated the races, recording the fastest times of the day in all three disciplines – each by a clear margin. He stated his major goal confidently: “I want to return to Kitzbühel – but on the slope opposite,” he said, referring to the Ganslern. Axel Bringdal has already competed in his first five FIS-level races.

Regardless of medals and times, however, the focus of the Virtus Open was on ethos and message. “It doesn’t matter what kind of disability you have – face the challenge,” said American athlete Haleigh Bates, who had travelled from Colorado for the event. Young Australian Georgia Yuen was already looking to the future beyond Kitzbühel: “Hopefully, athletes with intellectual disabilities will soon be allowed to compete in the Paralympics again. We are just as good as other athletes competing at FIS level.”

High praise also came from official representatives. Paula Grameiser-Scherl from the Austrian Para-Sport Association expressed her deep appreciation: “The Virtus Open have impressively demonstrated the sporting excellence that skiers with intellectual disabilities are capable of. Kitzbühel Ski Club showed great dedication and tireless commitment in ensuring that our athletes could compete at the highest international level.” At the same time, she looked to the future: “This year’s Virtus Open show how our ski family continues to grow together, set new standards and develop further with passion, professionalism and active inclusion – all the way to the 2030 Paralympics.” The shared goal of all athletes and officials is inclusion in the Paralympic competition programme for the first time. A decision on this is expected in the coming weeks.

New racecourse on the Kitzbüheler Horn

The significance of the Virtus Open on the Kitzbüheler Horn extends beyond junior sport to Europa Cup and World Cup levels, as the three races were held on a racecourse newly created in 2025 – primarily for the giant slalom and slalom disciplines. “To achieve this, Kitzbühel Ski Club, together with the Bergbahn Kitzbühel cable car company, invested considerable funds and improved snowmaking and safety measures,” says Mario Mittermayer-Weinhandl, Chief of Race for both the Virtus Open and the Hahnenkamm Races. In recent weeks, the Austrian and German national teams, as well as the women’s Europa Cup teams, have also used the racecourse for training.

“Until the Virtus Open, the new Brunelle course was purely a training slope, and since the Virtus Open it has also become a racecourse,” says Mario Mittermayer-Weinhandl. “With run times of up to one minute in a giant slalom – that is very impressive.” Together with the new speed course at Pass Thurn, where five Europa Cup races took place in January, and the new course on the Kitzbüheler Horn – primarily for giant slalom and slalom – Kitzbühel has developed into a training centre in the heart of the Alps within just a few years.

Photo © K.S.C./alpinguin