Azerbaijan's first international competition of 2026 underway in Shahdag

Azerbaijan is hosting its first international competition of the year in the Shahdag Mountain Resort, located in the Gusar region.

Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov made this announcement at the opening of the Azerbaijan Open international alpine skiing tournament at the Resort, per local media.

“The Azerbaijan Open features athletes from 11 countries. This year, other international winter sports competitions will also be held at the Shahdag Mountain Resort. In March, we will host the European Championship and the final stage of the Mogul World Cup,” the minister emphasised.

He also noted the development of winter sports in Azerbaijan:

“Two Azerbaijani athletes have received invitations to the Winter Olympic Games (in Italy in 2026). These athletes were invited externally, but local athletes are also actively developing. I want to particularly highlight the work of the Winter Sports Federation in this area. I am confident that, as a result of these efforts, in the future our Olympic teams will consist of athletes trained by the Federation.”

The multi-day event will continue through January 10, marking another step in Azerbaijan’s growing profile in winter sports.

The announcement of its kickoff was made earlier today. The tournament was launched in partnership with the Azerbaijan Winter Sports Federation and is being held according to the official calendar of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.

This year’s tournament brings together 20 female skiers from a wide range of countries and age categories, with participants travelling from Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, Georgia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Nepal, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan’s own Anastasia Papatoma is competing on home slopes, representing the host nation.

By Khagan Isayev