Austria’s Aigner siblings achieve glory at 2022 Beijing Paralympics

Austria’s Aigner siblings achieve glory at 2022 Beijing Paralympics

Veronika Aigner

The Aigner family of Austria kept making Para Alpine Skiing history at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics.

Veronika Aigner, guided by her sister Elisabeth, took gold in the women’s giant slalom vision impaired event. On the other hand, her other sister Barbara Aigner, guided by Klara Sykora, secured bronze in the same event on the fifth day of the tournament at the Yangqing National Alpine Skiing Centre.

Austria’s newly-crowned Paralympic champion, Veronica said: “I feel very good and we are so happy that I and my sisters are on the podium. It’s crazy.

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“I’m very happy. One week ago I didn’t know if I would stand on the podium and today we have gold and we are so happy.”

Elisabeth added: “I cried at the flower ceremony because I’m so happy to win with my sisters. All of us cried at the ceremony.

“The family is very sporty and we are very happy to (win medals) in this race.”

“Very special for me because it’s not normal”

Barbara Aigner
Barbara Aigner

Meanwhile, Barbara said: “It’s very special for me because it’s not normal that the whole family is here and I can ski against and with them, so I am very proud of everybody.”

Sykora, who guides Barbara, admitted now she also feels part of the Aigner family. “I am skiing with Barbara for the fourth year now and I saw every one of them grow up and I’m just so unbelievably proud of everyone.”

For those who don’t know, their brother Johannes Aigner has also been succeeding on Chinese soil as he already secured two gold medals, alongside one silver and one bronze in the men’s vision impaired competition.

All Aigner siblings will now compete in the men’s and women’s slalom competitions to round up their participation at Beijing 2022.

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