Flachau, Austria 12 Jan 2026
Source: https://www.skiweltcup-flachau.at/en/star-challenge.html https://www.flachau.com/
On 12 January 2026, stars from music, sport and show business will conquer the legendary World Cup course in Flachau together with former ski pros. Excitement, team spirit and top performances await you – including live performances and plenty of goosebump moments.
The event will once again be broadcast live on ORF 1. But you can also admire the stars on site with free admission.
30,000 euros will go to charitable projects chosen by the winning team – sport, fun and heart included!
Programme
| Time of day | Programme item |
|---|---|
| from 5.00 pm | Ski Austria World Cup Party |
| from 6.30 pm | Presentation of the participants of the HERMANN MAIER STAR CHALLENGE |
| from 7.00 pm | “Ski stars up close” – autograph session with the ski ladies |
| from 7.30 pm | Starting number draw |
| from 8.15 pm | Team competition HERMANN MAIER Star Challenge 2026 |
The Hermann Maier Star Challenge is an annual charity ski event held in Flachau, Austria. It serves as the traditional “curtain-raiser” for the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Night Slalom, taking place on the eve of the professional race.
The event is hosted by Austrian ski legend Hermann Maier, often called “The Herminator,” and is deeply tied to his personal history and his home village of Flachau.
Origins and History
The event honors Maier’s legendary career and his unique connection to Flachau.
- The 1996 Breakthrough: The roots of the challenge trace back to January 6, 1996. Maier, then an unknown “forerunner” (not part of the official Austrian team), set a time that would have placed him 12th in the official World Cup race. This performance launched his career, leading to 54 World Cup victories and two Olympic gold medals.
- Event Growth: What began as a local celebration of Maier’s legacy has evolved into a major televised event. In 2026, the event reached a new milestone by becoming a cross-border “Nations Ranking” between Austria and Switzerland, with the Swiss broadcaster SRF joining ORF for the live broadcast.
The Unique Race Format
The Star Challenge is not about who finishes the fastest, but rather about precision and teamwork.
- The Pairs: Teams are composed of one ski legend (former professionals like Franz Klammer or Renate Götschl) and one celebrity (actors, musicians, or athletes from other sports).
- The Challenge: The professional ski legend sets a “reference time” down the World Cup course. Before the celebrity starts, they must estimate how many seconds slower they will be than the pro.
- The Winner: The winning team is the one with the smallest difference between the celebrity’s actual time and their predicted time.
Charity Focus
The primary purpose of the evening is fundraising.
- The Prize: A total of €30,000 in prize money is typically donated to charity.
- Beneficiaries: The winning team chooses which charitable organizations receive the funds. Past recipients have included Wings for Life, ZUKI (Zukunft für Kinder), and the Nicolaidis YoungWings Foundation.
Recent Winners
- 2025: Musician Julian le Play and former ski pro Thomas Dreßen.
- 2024: ORF expert Corinna Kamper and ski legend Marco Büchel.
- 2023: Actor Jakob Seeböck and ski legend Lizz Görgl.
The event continues to be a highlight of the winter season in Salzburg, blending high-stakes professional skiing atmosphere with lighthearted entertainment for a good cause.
