44 days until the World Cham­pi­onship begins: Yasmin Stepina inter­view

Yasmin, just a few days ago ÖEHV partner win2day hosted the “Equal Play Day”, which showed that, statistically speaking, women's sport is no longer visible in the media from 1 March onwards. What is the situation specifically for women's ice hockey?
Yasmin Stepina: “In our communications and across our channels, we make a greater effort to ensure that women, men and Para are treated equally throughout the season, and that we provide comprehensive coverage of all three areas in their respective activities. I think we have taken a big step forward in this respect in recent years. There is still a great deal of potential in print, online, TV and radio media to establish and promote women's sport.”

Is this one of the reasons why ÖEHV is hosting the 2024 World Championship Division IA, in order to give greater visibility to the sport in general and women's ice hockey in particular?
Yasmin Stepina: “Yes. A World Championship offers the opportunity to present the sport to a broad audience in the form of an event. It also helps provide role models, especially for young female athletes.”

You played for the national team yourself and won gold at the 2008 World Championship Division II. How do you assess the development of women's ice hockey in Austria?
Yasmin Stepina: “A lot has happened over the past ten to 15 years. It has definitely become more professional. Not only women's ice hockey itself, but also its wider environment. I think we are on the right path to further drive and promote professionalisation, so that we can offer our women the foundation to be able to make a living from this sport in the future.”

With Anna Meixner and Theresa Schafzahl, two leading domestic players have secured professional contracts. Are they true trailblazers, comparable to Reinhard Divis and Christoph Brandner in the NHL at the time?
Yasmin Stepina: “Absolutely. I remember that both of them still played for me at U15 level (Ed.: Yasmin Stepina was a coach at the time). It is all the more wonderful to see that they have made the step up to top leagues. They are currently our two leading figures. It also gives the U18 national team impetus to strive in this direction and shape their careers accordingly.”

On the ice: what is possible for Austria at this home World Championship? Has the federation set a target?
Yasmin Stepina: “Anything is possible at a home World Championship. We saw at the last World Championship that anyone can beat anyone. No one expected Slovakia to be relegated either. It will be exciting. The standard and level of the individual nations are very close. A lot will depend on the form of the day and on how fit and ready each individual player is.”

In organisational terms: What can teams and fans expect? How will ÖEHV once again prove itself to be an exemplary host?
Yasmin Stepina: “Carinthia is, by its very nature, a state that is fanatical about ice hockey. We will have plenty of fans in the arena and experience ice hockey of a very high standard, with many top players. It is a great opportunity to give women's ice hockey another boost and make it accessible to people. It will be a cool experience.”

2024 IIHF Ice Hockey Women´s World Championship 2024

From 21 to 27 April 2024, Klagenfurt will host the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey Women´s World Championship 2024. Austria will face Hungary, France, Norway, the Netherlands and South Korea as they bid for promotion to the Top Division. Following 2009 and 2017, it is the third Women's World Championship on Austrian ice.

Schedule

Norway vs. Austria
Sun, 21 April 2024, 18:30, Klagenfurt

Austria vs. South Korea
Mon, 22 April 2024, 19:30, Klagenfurt

France vs. Austria
Wed, 24 April 2024, 19:30, Klagenfurt

Austria vs. Hungary
Fri, 26 April 2024, 20:25, Klagenfurt

Austria vs. the Netherlands
Sat, 27 April 2024, 20:25, Klagenfurt