City of Salzburg – “Moving City”: 1st ice day of action and ice biathlon team competition in the Volksgarten
Deputy Mayor Auinger: Continue to expand the range of exercise options for people
Since 2020, the magic of ice in the “Volksi” has been inspiring Salzburg’s hobby ice sports enthusiasts. On Sunday, February 27th, the second season of the circuit ends with the 1st Ice Action Day and an Austrian premiere as part of the “Moving City”. “The last day will be another eventful highlight of the season. There will be various ice sports to participate in, including ice hockey tryouts for young and old, curling and performances by the figure skaters. In the afternoon, Austria’s first ice biathlon team competition is the absolute highlight,” says Deputy Mayor Bernhard Auinger and is looking forward to numerous participants and visitors.
First ice biathlon team competition in Austria
The city of Salzburg and the AK/ÖGB company sports team are taking an innovative approach and are organizing the first ice biathlon competition next Sunday. A competition that has never existed in this combination in Austria before. Speed, a steady hand and teamwork are required. “It is important to us to offer the opportunity to play sports together as part of company sport. I am pleased that an innovative new fun competition has been launched with the ice biathlon,” says AK President and company sports chairman Peter Eder. Company sport also plays a special role. “Especially in times of working from home, social contact is sometimes difficult. In this team competition, cohesion among colleagues is demonstrated,” explains Eder and adds: “Those who work hard every day need a balance. The offers of company sports, where fun and enjoyment are the focus, offer the ideal setting.” There are still places available and teams of two are very welcome.
Ice magic success story
Since the “ice season” 2020/2021, hobby ice skaters have been able to race through the ice magic on the grounds of the Volksgarten in addition to the ice arena. Already in the second season, the ice magic was expanded by 90 meters of running paths – that’s a total of 270 m² more ice surface. And the new attraction is very well received: As one of the very few exercise offers, 59,936 hobby ice athletes took advantage of the new offer in the ice magic opening year 2020. In 2021, the result from the previous year was exceeded with 60,624 hobby ice athletes, although almost all exercise offers were available to people.
“The Ice Magic is the right offer at the right time. The decision for the ice magic was spot on. Salzburg is a lively city. We will continue to consistently pursue the path of optimizing the range of exercise for people even further,” says Auinger.
“Despite the difficult framework conditions, we invested in an attractive and affordable exercise program and it paid off. The ice magic was also in its second season a sporting fixed point for many Salzburgers,” says deputy mayor Bernhard Auinger happily and adds, “The success story was made possible by the committed team of the ice arena, which was always flexible and quickly to new, changing opponents and specifications and thus created a smooth and safe process”.
“Moving City” in dialogue
Under the motto “Talk to us! Get involved!” Visitors to the Ice Magic Show on Sunday, February 27th can find out more about the “Moving City” project and contribute their ideas for sports, exercise and open spaces in the city of Salzburg. Interested citizens can also send their suggestions directly to [email protected].
“With the ‘Moving City’ project, the city of Salzburg is now to become a distinct fitness park – or to put it another way – a large playground, sports and exercise area. The specific goal is to create attractive exercise options in public space or to make them more visible,” Auinger recalls and refers to the current “Workout of the week” (WoW) offer. With WoW, a new full-body training program can be carried out week after week at all movement islands and outdoor fitness facilities in the city. The short explanatory video at the beginning helps with the correct execution of the exercises. The sports-scientifically guided training program is available in three execution levels: Basic – Advanced – Expert:in and adapted to the training condition. In addition, work is being done on the new sports concept for the city of Salzburg, which is to be presented in the middle of the year.
1st Ice Action Day and ice biathlon team competition in the Volksgarten
So, February 27th, from 9 a.m
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. public run (hall, covered open space, ice magic) – tickets secure online or buy at the checkout
Program:
- 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Halle, taster training for children with Matthias Trattnig – children’s ice hockey EC Red Bull Salzburg (registration on Tel. 8072 4313)
- 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. Training EC Red Bull Salzburg, spectators allowed
- 10.30 – 11.30 a.m. Figure skating demonstration
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Public taster biathlon (shooting)
- 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Curling in the hall and introductory training for children
From 2 p.m. – Ice Biathlon (Registration in advance at https://www.betriebssport-salzburg.at/bewerbe/eisbiathlon)
Visitors to the Ice Magic can stay on the premises – ice skating is no longer possible, but spectators are welcome. Ice skates can be hired on site. Helmets are compulsory in ice biathlon.
From Monday, February 28, the public run is possible on the covered open space from Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every Mon – Wed – Sat evening run from 7.15 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. The ice season for amateur skaters in the city of Salzburg ends on Sunday, March 13th.