With today’s women’s slalom event, the World Para Alpine Skiing Championships have successfully concluded. This historic competition, held for the first time in Maribor and Slovenia from February 2, 2025, saw gold medals go to athletes from Austria, Sweden, and Germany.
A total of 34 female skiers competed in the slalom event on the racecourse at Mariborsko Pohorje: eight in the visually impaired category, 15 in the standing category, and 11 in the sitting category.
In the visually impaired category, 21-year-old Austrian Veronika Aigner secured her second gold of the championships. Italian skier Chiara Mazzel, who previously won silver in the giant slalom, added another silver in the slalom. After the withdrawal of the first-run leader, Austrian Elina Stary, Slovakian Alexandra Rexova claimed the bronze medal, finishing 9.59 seconds behind the winner.
Swedish champion Ebba Aarsjoe also took home her second gold of the championships in the standing category, dominating her rivals with a 5.03-second lead over the second-place finisher. China’s Mengqiu Zhang replicated her success from the giant slalom, securing the silver medal in slalom as well. Germany’s Anna-Maria Rieder brought joy to the German camp by claiming third place, finishing 11.15 seconds behind the winner.
The most thrilling and competitive category was once again the sitting category, which featured a fierce battle for medals. Germany’s Anna-Lena Forster climbed from fourth place after the first run to claim gold, finishing 0.95 seconds ahead of silver medalist Audrey Pascual Seco from Spain. Forster added this gold to her silver from Saturday’s giant slalom. Another bronze medal in this championship went to China’s Sitong Liu, who finished 1.93 seconds behind the winner.
The championships, organized by Marprom and Šport Maribor with the support of the Maribor Public Holding and the Municipality of Maribor, featured 135 athletes from 33 countries, with organizers awarding a total of 12 sets of medals. The standout performers of the championships were undoubtedly France’s Arthur Bauchet, Italy’s Giacomo Bertagnolli, Austria’s Veronika Aigner, and Sweden’s Ebba Aarsjoe, all of whom won two gold medals. France topped the medal standings, collecting six medals: three gold, one silver, and two bronze. A total of 15 different countries won at least one medal.
“At the conclusion of this exceptional world championship, I would like to sincerely thank the International Ski Federation (FIS) for giving us the opportunity to host the world’s best para alpine skiers. Every competitor who took to the course deserves deep respect—not only for their outstanding sporting achievements but also for their unwavering determination and courage. A special thank you goes to the entire organizing team, led by Srečko Vilar and Marko Rataj, as well as the dedicated staff at Marprom and Šport Maribor, whose tremendous effort, commitment, and experience ensured the flawless execution of the competition. This team has proven that Maribor is capable of hosting events at the highest competitive level. We are proud to have been part of this story and to have demonstrated that para sports are an integral part of the global skiing community. Thank you all, and I hope to see you again soon on the slopes,” said Ranko Šmigoc, President of the Competition Organizing Committee and Director of Marprom and Šport Maribor, part of the JHMB Group.
“With great pride, we close this remarkable chapter in Maribor’s sporting history. Hosting the World Para Alpine Skiing Championships was both a great honor and responsibility for our city, and we have successfully fulfilled this task. Maribor has once again proven to be an open, inclusive, and hospitable city where sports hold a special place. This championship was not just a competition but also a powerful statement of resilience, perseverance, and unbreakable will that inspires us all. I extend my gratitude to all the organizers, volunteers, and participants who made this prestigious and well-executed event possible. A big thank you also goes to the fans, whose energy created an unforgettable atmosphere. Let this championship serve as an inspiration for future major sporting events in our city and a testament that Maribor can offer a world-class venue for all—regardless of obstacles,” summarized Aleksander Saša Arsenovič, Mayor of the Municipality of Maribor.
With the highest-level races at Mariborsko Pohorje now concluded, organizers have demonstrated that Maribor is still capable of hosting top-tier sporting events. Despite a shortened program, competitors, coaches, and officials praised the organizers for preparing an excellent course under challenging weather conditions, ensuring fair competition for all athletes. Participants felt comfortable and welcomed in Slovenia’s second-largest city, with many expressing their desire to return and compete in Maribor again in the future.
