Between glacier and greens: The Ski&Golf World Championship delights an international field of competitors 18.05.2026

From the fresh snow slopes to the golf course: From 13 to 16 May 2026, 139 participants competed in two completely different disciplines in a unique world championship combination: the Ski&Golf World Championship in Zell am See-Kaprun. Zeno Felder and Sophie Dekker prevailed against an international field of competitors from 12 nations, thus becoming this year’s Ski&Golf World Champions.

Last weekend, the athletes took on the unique combination of giant slalom and a two-day golf tournament. Against the freshly snow-covered backdrop of the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier on the Alp's only 36-hole Leading Golf Course in the Alps,it was once again evident what makes the Ski&Golf World Championships so unique. Despite cold temperatures and the last frosts of spring, brief spells of sunshine – such as on the very first morning at the Kitzsteinhorn – provided impressive moments in the competition. The fresh snow offered ideal conditions for the giant slalom, where approximately 45 seconds of ski racing determined the first ranking. Two intense rounds of golf followed on Friday and Saturday. The results from both disciplines contributed to the overall standings, a thrilling battle for the coveted World Championship titles right up to the very end.

Sophie Dekker wins the play-off an Zeno Felder claims victory by an extremely narrow margin ahead of the defending champion, the Swiss team is triumphing in the team event

International golf pros such as Charlotte Alran from Switzerland, who played for the Swiss Junior National Team, as well as Anniina Paatsama and skiers such as Felix Monsén complemented the strong field of competitors. Sam Maes, the men’s defending champion and a long-standing member of the international elite on the Alpine Ski World Cup circuit, also took again part in the Ski&Golf World Championship. After the giant slalom on the Kitzsteinhorn, he was initially in sixth place. The day’s victory in the skiing competition on Thursday went to alpine skiing pro Loic Chable. In the women’s event, the Dekker sisters from the Netherlands took the lead; Charlotte Alran finished fourth in the skiing competition.
Despite the cool temperatures, things were heating up on the golf course: the two 18-hole courses were in excellent shape, ensuring the best possible conditions for an exciting final. After the first round of golf on Friday, a neck-and-neck race had already emerged, culminating in a nail-biting finale for both the women and the men.
Whilst Zeno Felder clinched the title by an extremely narrow margin on the final hole, finishing one stroke ahead of world champion Sam Maes and local hero Alexander Heitzmann, the women’s final was not for the faint-hearted: it was only in the third play-off that Sophie Dekker from the Netherlands ultimately came out on top, leaving Charlotte Alran in second place and Anniina Paatsama in third. 
In the team event, the result was a bit clearer, with the Swiss making a strong statement through the ‘Eidgenossen’ team of Tobias Ebner, Semyel Bissig, Léo Monnier and Loic Chable. They finished 22 points clear of the runners-up: the Zell am See-Kaprun team (Sam Maes, Alexander Lahoda, Alexander Heitzmann and Christoph Trauner). In the women’s event, the Czech team of Katerina Kminkova, Sara Svinkova, Sarka Frolikova and Laura Bosnicova ultimately triumphed.
Ski crosser Ollie Davies added to the excitement; having competed in the 2026 Winter Olympics, he now demonstrated his versatility by finishing 14th overall.
Halfway stations at Sporthotel Alpin and Sportresort Alpenblick along the golf course, as well as the special ‘Nearest to the Pin’ contest by artes motus and a Players’ Night with a BBQ, complemented an event full of atmosphere.

2027 Ski&Golf World Championship confirmed

The first Ski&Golf World Championship in Zell am See-Kaprun took place in 2004, and has since developed into a top-class international event in the region. This year also saw an increase in the number of participants: with 139 athletes, the figure was more than 11 per cent up on the previous year.
Next spring, Zell am See-Kaprun will once again be the venue for sporty versatility from the pistes to the greens. The Ski&Golf World Championship is entering its next round and will take place from 5 to 8 May 2027 in the region between glacier, mountain, and lake. Registration for the 2027 World Championship opens at the beginning of June and can be completed online at www.skigolfworldcup.com.

Lisa Loferer, CEO of Zell am See-Kaprun Tourism: “As organisers, we had the privilege of hosting the 2026 Ski&Golf World Championship for the third time in Zell am See-Kaprun – and that to a standard that impressively underlines the significance of this event. The event brings together athletes and guests from twelve nations and has long since established itself as an important meeting place for the international sports and business community. With the long ski season on the Kitzsteinhorn and the excellent golf course, we offer the ideal infrastructure for this unique combination of skiing and golf. A big thank you goes to our sponsors and partners, whose valuable support has made this event possible. We are delighted with the success of this third edition and look forward to continuing this event together next year in 2027 in Zell am See-Kaprun.”

Sam Maes, alpine ski racer and several times successful participant in the Ski&Golf World Championship: “For me, Zell am See-Kaprun is not just my home base, but also a place where I constantly find new energy. The Ski&Golf World Championship showcases perfectly what makes this region so special: One day in the snow on the glacier, the next on the golf course between lake and mountain – this combination is unique. As a participant, I experience the diversity of my adoptive home in a very special way. It’s great fun to combine two such different yet equally fascinating sports here in the form of a World Championship.”

All 2026 results: www.skigolfworldcup.com/en/startlists-results

Click here for the complete press release as pdf.

The images may only be used in the context of the press release.

Press contact for further information j.klammer@zellamsee-kaprun.com