voestalpine skygate: a cooperation between voestalpine and the Austrian Ski Association

4 November 2011 |

On November 4, 2011, voestalpine and the ÖSV presented their very special cooperation for the first time. In honor of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2013 in Schladming, an extraordinary construction was erected in the finish arena of the Planai stadium. voestalpine skygate is the name of this architecturally outstanding symbol – an arch that the athletes have to pass under before they cross over the finish line.

voestalpine skygate – a new Schladming landmark
Opening ceremony on January 23, 2012
An impressive example of the versatility of steel

The path up to the World Championships is already marked by many great events, including a night race in the newly designed stadium and the FIS World Cup finals. Therefore, the official opening of voestalpine skygate will take place on January 23, 2102, a day before the night race.

As an international company with Austrian roots, this cooperation, as part of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2013, a major event, is very special to us. With this impressive object, we also have the opportunity to show off the beauty of steel.

Wolfgang Eder, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of voestalpine AG

We are very proud to cooperate on this project with one of the strongest and most innovative companies in Austria. This architecturally exceptional symbol will be a landmark for Schladming – before, during and long after the World Championships.

Prof. Peter Schröcksnadel, President of ÖSV

The design demonstrates the unique capabilities of steel. The construction is anchored on one side only, at its highest point – 35 meters. A total of 890 meters of steel pipes were used in the construction of the arch.

architect of voestalpine skygate, DI Gernot Ritter

The voestalpine Group

voestalpine is a globally active group with a number of specialized and flexible companies that produce, process and further develop high-quality steel products. The Group is represented by 360 production and sales companies in more than 60 countries. With its highest quality flat steel products, voestalpine is one of Europe's leading partners to the automotive, white goods, and energy industries. Furthermore, voestalpine is the world market leader in turnout technology, tool steel, and special sections, as well as number one in Europe in the production of rails. In the business year 2010/11, the voestalpine Group generated revenues of around EUR 11 billion, and achieved an operating result (EBIT) of almost EUR 1 billion; the Group has around 47,000 employees worldwide.