Austria Triumphs at Tram World Championship in Vienna

On Saturday, the Wiener Linien claimed first place for Austria at the first World Championship in tram driving. Tram drivers from 25 cities competed at Vienna's Rathausplatz in eight disciplines - however, it was not a classic race. Instead, the teams demonstrated their skills at the wheel in game show-like challenges such as tram bowling and curling.

Austria triumphs at Tram World Championship in Vienna

After the first interim result, it looked like third place for the two Viennese tram pilots Elisabeth Urbanitsch and Florijan Isaku. Amidst the cheers of the spectators, they managed to clinch the world championship title during the final sprint. The Polish city of Poznań took silver, closely followed by Oslo in third place. The European champion Budapest narrowly missed the top three. Germany, represented by Berlin and Leipzig, began a comeback in the final thanks to a smooth second run, but remained in seventh place due to a weaker first round.

The disciplines could probably have made it into game formats like "Wetten, dass..?" - such as Stop & Go, a targeted acceleration and braking with a cup of water at the front, or maintaining speed with a covered speedometer and pushing a curling trolley. Anyone who carelessly sped over the tracks on the obstacle course between the Burgtheater and the Rathaus, parked too tightly, or spilled water had to expect point deductions. However, quick executions were rewarded.

Viennese duo initially only in third place at Tram World Championship

The Viennese duo held the lead for a long time after a solid performance in the morning. However, Poznań took the top score at the first interim result, including a rare strike in bowling. Shortly before the end of the first round, Oslo narrowly pushed the Viennese to third place. The European champion Budapest quickly fell back.

Originally, the twelfth Tram European Championship was planned for this year. The first Tram European Championship took place in Dresden in 2012, in Vienna in 2015, and in 2023, the Wiener Linien won the gold medal in Oradea, Romania. This year, Vienna invited drivers from all over the world for the first time - including teams from Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, and Casablanca.

During the event, the next Tram World Championship was already announced: it is set to take place in Melbourne in 2027. At this year's tournament, the Australian metropolis remained among the last, in 23rd place.

(APA/Red)

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