Gala in Vienna: Tschofenig and Venier named Sportspeople of the Year

Austrian ski jumper Daniel Tschofenig and alpine skier Stephanie Venier were honored as Austria’s Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year at the Lotterien-Sporthilfe Gala in Vienna.

Tschofenig, who won both the Four Hills Tournament and the overall Ski Jumping World Cup last season, received 916 points in the Sports Media Austria journalists’ vote, ahead of golf’s Ryder Cup winner Sepp Straka (729) and alpine world champion Raphael Haaser (721). “I honestly didn’t expect it. It’s really cool to be able to take this with me,” Tschofenig said, calling it a perfect cap to a season full of victories.

Venier, a newly retired alpine racer and the 2025 Super-G world champion in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, collected 968 points to finish ahead of table tennis European champion Sofia Polcanova (473) and skeleton European champion Janine Flock (434). “Wow, it’s the crowning and perfect conclusion. It doesn’t get any better in sporting terms,” Venier said, adding that as an expectant mother she feels great and doesn’t miss ski racing.

After a shutout in 2024, the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) celebrated a big night with two top awards. It is the first time since 2016 that an alpine skier (Eva-Maria Brem) has won the women’s honor and the first time since 2011 (Thomas Morgenstern) that a ski jumper has taken the men’s title.

Team of the Year went to the men’s national ice hockey team, which edged the synchronized swimming world champion twins Anna-Maria and Eirini-Marina Alexandri and the men’s ski jumping team. A Special Award commemorating Niki Lauda was presented by his sons, Mathias and Lukas, to three Formula 1 figures: Gerhard Berger, Helmut Marko and Toto Wolff. Wolff was also immortalized on the “Street of Winners” ahead of the gala.

Further honors included: in para sports, Melissa Köck (deaf alpine skiing) and Thomas Frühwirth (para-cycling/para-triathlon) won; in Special Olympics, Jasmin Heim and Alexander Haissl (both alpine skiing) were recognized. Oliver Glasner was named Coach of the Year for leading Crystal Palace to a surprise FA Cup triumph in May. Rising Star of the Year was 17-year-old tennis player Lilli Tagger, the 2025 French Open junior champion, who also received a youth sports prize alongside 17-year-old cyclist Heimo Fugger. “Sportler mit Herz” (athlete with a heart) went to Matthias Stelzmüller for his “Skate the World” initiative, and the Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm was voted the most emotional sports moment of the year.