Power Women behind the World Championships scenes

Over 150,000 spectators and more than 600 athletes from over 70 nations are expected over the two weeks of the World Championships. Countless contributors have been working for months to organise this sporting event. For this Saalbach Story, I have the honour of meeting four women who represent the many people who lend a helping hand at the events in the Glemmtal. True to the motto: women's power behind the scenes of the World Cup. Not only, but also! 

Sonja Mitterer & Birgit Breitfuß

Employees in the event department of the Saalbach Tourist Board 

Under the motto ‘The most casual World Championships’, Sonja's tasks at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2025 include working with the events department team and a local agency to stage the 950 metre-long fan mile. Various stages, artists, live music bands, DJs and much more will line the Hinterglemm centre from the new east bus terminal to the finish area on the Zwölferkogel together with sponsors and partners. Only local restaurateurs will be catering for the guests, creating a uniform and relaxed atmosphere. 

What sounds so simple here requires countless organisational steps. Together with her colleagues and the Ixxalp team, she has been in close contact with the authorities, contributors, landowners and many other people involved in the planning and realisation since the summer. 

Birgit, in turn, is the interface between the WM organisation and the authorities for all issues relating to travel and transport planning. Whether it's the timetables for the shuttles, permits for car parks or coordination on site: Birgit keeps track of everything. After more than 10 years in the tourism association, the career changer has more than got the hang of things.

What qualities are important in your jobs? 

‘It's all about balance. On the one hand, planning and organising major events requires a precise overview and correctness when it comes to applications and legal matters; on the other hand, you simply have to be flexible and empathetic. Things don't always go according to plan. It's important to adapt to new situations and the different people you're dealing with.’

And although the two don't talk about ‘stress’, they admit that there's a lot going on at the moment. After all, there are numerous events in addition to the World Championships, such as the BERGFESTival, Rave on Snow and Mountain Attack, which are also taking place in Saalbach this winter.

What are you most looking forward to during the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2025? 
Honestly? We love it when we see people celebrating and simply having a good time with us. The emotions of the visitors reward the labour-intensive time. Toasting a successful event together with our colleagues - it's this sense of togetherness and the atmosphere in the town that makes us love our jobs so much.

Marina Kratzer

Saalbachs 1st female mountain rescuer

It's official since September 2023 - Marina is part of the Saalbach Mountain Rescue Team. The fact that she is the first woman in the group should only be mentioned in passing. That's not so important for the Glemm valley native. 

Marina has always loved travelling in the mountains. That - and the desire to help people who are in trouble in the mountains - is probably in her blood. Her dad Sigi, who died in a tragic alpine accident, her brother Stefan and her uncles and cousin are members of the Saalbach Mountain Rescue Service. 

Marina is in the middle of her apprenticeship. After a one-year trial period, the three-year training period, including various courses, has now begun. It was an honour for her when she received confirmation of registration for her first training course shortly after her probationary period - another sign that she had arrived and been accepted into the team. 

From the outside, Marina and her colleagues in the mountain rescue team devote a lot of time to the organisation. But that's not how the young mountain rescuer feels. ‘The training, courses and experience you gain also benefit you personally. The training courses are very comprehensive and state of the art - that's priceless.’   

Sportiness and alpine fitness are basic requirements for mountain rescuers. For Marina, however, it is also a constant training incentive to be ready for an emergency. You can only prepare yourself mentally for missions to a limited extent. Marina volunteers for many standby duties during bike races and sporting events in order to gain experience and work well as part of a team. Team spirit has always run through the team structure. Where long-standing members share their knowledge of rope technology, rescues and dealing with people in exercises, ‘the youngsters’ provide support with new apps & co. 

This is another thing that fascinates Marina about the entire team. There are mountain rescuers who have been in the field for decades and are undergoing further training in crisis intervention. Others keep calm under all circumstances and are perfect on the radio. Still others are exceptionally strong physically on the climbing wall. And although all members can do everything and train regularly, people are deployed according to their personal abilities. The smooth running of a wide variety of scenarios is rehearsed in regular drills, which also include cross-club exercises. 

As an operational team for alpine emergencies must also be available away from the race pistes of the World Ski Championships, mountain rescuers from all over the province of Salzburg will be travelling to the event. Marina and her colleagues will be on standby duty along the race course so that they can help immediately in an emergency. As Marina is still in training, she is accompanied by experienced mountain rescuers. 

She is also a professional pioneer in her field. Originally working in a bank, she discovered Krampus skin sewing for herself. Infected by her husband's passion for this age-old tradition, she now works as a freelancer in her own workshop. She chooses her materials very carefully and focusses on sustainability and genuine craftsmanship. The longevity of the end products is impressive - even the Krampuses. And so the order books for next year are already full. In her private life, she is, of course, out and about on the most beautiful peaks in the region with her family and friends. 

Are you looking forward to the 2025 World Ski Championships, Marina? 

Oh yes, very much! I can still remember the 1991 World Championships very well. I was five at the time. The valley was in a celebratory mood - it was something very special. And that's exactly what I want to show my children: the privilege of taking part in such a spectacle. The entire ski world is looking towards Saalbach and we have the event right on our doorstep. It will be an unforgettable experience!

Sonja Fersterer

Police officer & department commander at the Saalbach Red Cross

Of course, safety is also a top priority at major events such as the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2025. With support from all over Austria, Sonja and her colleagues ensure that the various events run smoothly in addition to their routine tasks. 

Where many people have two hearts beating in their chest, Sonja Fersterer has two jackets hanging in her wardrobe. She is an inspectorate commander, has been head of the Saalbach police station since 2018 and in her spare time is a department commander at the Red Cross. 

Giving something back to society and meeting people from different perspectives - these are the reasons that prompted Sonja to become a volunteer member of the Red Cross in Saalbach over 10 years ago. In the meantime, however, it is also the good camaraderie that she greatly appreciates about life in the organisation. 

Professionally, Sonja realised early on that she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her great-grandfather, father, uncle and many other family members. After completing her A-levels at the gymnasium in Saalfelden and as a successful biathlete in the Salzburg Provincial Ski Association squad, she completed the police academy. After getting to know different places of work during her training, she soon decided that Saalbach was the place she wanted to work. She has been stationed in Glemmtal since autumn 2009 and, following the retirement of her predecessor, she was promoted to become the first female head of department in the province of Salzburg in 2018. 

Naturally, I also want to know from her what it's like to work in a male domain. The clear answer from the tough Pinzgau woman: 
‘It makes no difference to me. I meet people at eye level - and this composure usually comes back the same way. I think it's all about appearance and charisma. Then it doesn't matter whether it's a policeman or a policewoman standing in front of people.’

In her private life, Sonja has swapped her cross-country skiing boots and biathlon rifle for hiking boots and ski touring skis. In the time she has left over from her police duties and voluntary work with the Red Cross, she enjoys spending time with friends and family. Relaxed balance instead of demanding competitive sport - the Pinzgau mountains are of course the ideal place! 

Sonja, what is special about the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships for you? 
I find it very exciting to be able to be part of such a mega event up close. It's impressive to see everything that goes on behind the scenes and how many people work hand in hand to make it happen. I'm looking forward to a fun World Champs in 2025!