The Grand Finale of the VK OPEN World Cup was held at the Beinhoat das Vertical in Dorfgastein, Salzburg, Austria, on Saturday, October 17, 2026. It was the first time Austria hosted the final.

Frenchman Louis Dumas and Irina Chernova, Individual Neutral Athlete, were crowned 2026 VK OPEN World Cup Champions.

Celebrating the 13th edition, Austria’s steepest vertical race, climbs under the cable car to the Fulseck mountain station over 3.3 km with 1,200m of vertical climb.

Austria dominated the men’s race. Christof Hochenwarter crossed the finish line first in 39’33”, followed by compatriots Paul Verbnjak in 40’20” and Nils Oberauer in 40’59”.