!!!Skisport

Skiing: Pioneers in the field of Alpine skiing, the Austrians have 
always played a leading role in skiing in general. Skiing originated 
in Norway and was introduced to the Alpine region around 1870, where 
it underwent important changes. Austria played a decisive role in the 
development of skiing techniques, and in 1889, M. Kleinoschegg from 
Graz was the first Alpine skier to use Scandinavian skis (now in the 
ski museum at Muerzzuschlag) and to ski down the Austrian Alps 
together with T. Schruf (they climbed and skied down Hochschwab 
mountain in winter 1895). Kleinoschegg was soon joined by W. v. 
Arlt in Salzburg and by V. Sohm in Vorarlberg; the latter also 
manufactured winter sports goods. In 1893, the first international 
skiing race in Austria was held at Muerzzuschlag. In his skiing 
instruction book "Die Alpine (Lilienfelder) Lauftechnik" 
("The Alpine (Lilienfeld) Skiing Technique") of 1897, M.  
Zdarsky described a skiing technique which he had developed for Alpine 
terrain. Zdarsky used shorter skis than the Norwegians, a stiff metal 
sole binding with a spring whereby the foot was also fixed at the 
sides ("Lilienfeld binding") and a long ski pole without 
disk. The Lilienfeld technique was further improved by G.  Bilgeri, 
who combined elements of the Norwegian and Lilienfeld techniques. 
Bilgeri used skis with a shallow groove running lengthwise along the 
centre of the bottom to give directional stability; he helped the twin 
ski pole and stemming techniques become established alongside the 
telemark turn and improved the equipment used in skiing and Alpine 
disciplines (crampons, ski waxes, sealskins with a special binding for 
climbing mountains); Bilgeri also taught skiing to the Austrian local 
police forces. His skiing technique was further developed by H.  
Schneider, who established an internationally famous ski school in St. 
Anton am Arlberg in 1922. Through A. Fanck´ s book "Wunder 
des Schneeschuhs" ("Miracle of the Snowshoe", 1925, 
written in cooperation with H. Schneider) the Schneider technique 
became known as the "Arlberg technique", which is 
characterised by the stem christiania. The first Alpine combined ski 
race worldwide was the Kandahar race on the Arlberg pass in 1928. The 
Austrian Skiing Association (Oesterreichischer Skiverband, founded in 
1905) and the winter sports clubs of the  Naturfreunde Oesterreichs 
(founded at the same time) contributed innovative ideas in the field 
of skiing and organised ski courses and made skiing a popular sport in 
Austria. L. Gfoerer from Tyrol developed a skiing technique whereby 
the ski pole was used to change direction on steep slopes. In 1934, A. 
 Seelos, who is considered the inventor of modern skiing technique, 
introduced the parallel turn whereby the upper part of the body 
rotated. Soon afterwards S.  Kruckenhauser introduced a special leg 
technique (popularly called "Wedeln"). In the 1970s the "jet 
swing", an extreme turning technique, became extremely popular 
worldwide and the "Austrian leg technique" (oesterreichische 
Beinspieltechnik), developed by the Austrian skiing teacher, F.  
Hoppichler also  gained worldwide popularity. Som recent changes in 
skiing technique (carving, snowboard etc.) have also been influenced 
by developments in the skiing industry. Austria continues to be world 
leader in skiing as a competitive sport, while the winter sports 
regions in the Austrian Alps provide excellent conditions for both 
recreational and competitive skiing.

!Literature
H. Polednik, Weltwunder Skisport, 1969.


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