Roswitha Stadlober Is Sports Manager Of The Year
The #VICTOR – Austria's Sports Business Award – was presented for the eighth time on Tuesday at the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce in front of nearly 70 invited guests from the worlds of sports, politics, and business. The award aims to highlight the economic and social significance of sports and to bring exemplary achievements into the spotlight.
"Sport is far more than competition – it's preventative healthcare, a meeting place, and an important part of our social life. Millions of people are active, whether in clubs, on the running track, or in the gym. For sport to reach its full potential, it needs not only enthusiasm but also smart management and efficient business practices. The #VICTOR – Austria's Sport Business Award – impressively demonstrates how closely sport and business are intertwined. Sport is a significant economic factor, creates jobs, and is a driver of innovation," emphasized State Secretary Michaela Schmidt in her welcoming address.
Roswitha Stadlober was delighted to receive the main prize in the category of Sports Manager of the Year . The Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) president prevailed against competitors such as Robert Lechner (Team Manager of BWT Lechner Racing), Ralf Rangnick (Team Manager of the Austrian National Football Team), Dietmar Riegler (President of Wolfsberger AC), and Edwin Weindorfer (CEO & Founder of e|motion Group).
"I accept this award on behalf of a great team in the Austrian Ski Federation and at the same time see this award as a mandate to continue being a pioneer in important areas such as gender equality and sustainability," Roswitha Stadlober explained in her acceptance speech.
The former ski racer, born in Radstadt, has been at the helm of the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) since October 2021 and has since been responsible for the transition to the post-Peter Schröcksnadel era. In a season that was challenging both athletically and communicatively – marked by criticism of the alpine skiers and high expectations ahead of the home World Championships in Saalbach – she clearly stood behind her team, eased the pressure from the public debate, and strengthened the athletes' support both internally and externally.
The 2025 Alpine Ski World Championships ended with seven medals, including two golds – a result that impressively refuted the underdog status. Furthermore, Stadlober uses her position to consistently address issues such as injury prevention, athlete health, and the social significance of sport. With her leadership, she significantly shapes the further development of Austria's largest sports federation and has now been awarded "Sports Manager of the Year 2025" for her efforts.
A new category debuted with the Sports Event of the Year award. The inaugural title went to the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships 2025 in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. From February 4th to 16th, 2025, eleven races were held featuring athletes from 77 nations. Around 175,000 fans on site and over 600 million viewers worldwide made the championships one of the biggest winter sports events of the year. With 1,100 volunteers from 19 countries and a sustainable mobility concept, the World Championships also impressed with their organization and deservedly took first place. Second and third place went to the 3x3 World Tour Masters in Vienna (basketball) and the Austrian Alpine Open in Salzburg (golf).
Saubermacher also had reason to celebrate , securing second place (behind the Upper Austrian company FAELCON Rackets) in the Sport & Climate Protection category with its "Circular World Championship Concept ." As the official waste management partner of the Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach, Saubermacher focused on four key areas: waste prevention, reduction of incorrect disposal, e-mobility, and reusable containers. Smart electric trucks, fill-level sensors, the Digi-Cycle app, and sustainable collection points – supported by awareness campaigns – ensured that around 175,000 visitors were reached and a recycling rate of 66 percent was achieved.
