Historic Milestones Define the ATSX 2025/26 World Cup
The inaugural ATSX Ice Cross World Cup 2025/26 season has come to a close, marking the end of a historic winter for the sport. With two World Cup stops across Europe and North America, the new format successfully built on the legacy of the former World Championships while delivering high-level competition and decisive championship battles.
From Winterleiten to Sainte-Angèle-de-Mérici, the season produced breakthrough moments, dominant performances and a milestone achievement for French ice cross.
ATSX 250 Winterleiten – Austria
The season opened in Winterleiten, where athletes set the tone for the first-ever World Cup campaign.
Senior Men: 1. Jonathan Merlino (FRA), 2. Jack Beatson (USA), 3. Jack Schram (USA)
Senior Women: 1. Veronika Windisch (AUT), 2. Sarah Seibold (USA), 3. Jordan Sewczak (USA)
Juniors: 1. Jack Beatson (USA), 2. Kevin Dupuis (SUI), 2. Stefan Vajsabel (CAN)
Merlino’s victory in Austria proved to be an early statement in the championship race, while Windisch and Beatson both demonstrated the consistency that would ultimately define their seasons.
ATSX 250 Sainte-Angèle-de-Mérici – Canada
The World Cup then crossed the Atlantic for its second and final stop in Canada, where championship ambitions were either confirmed or challenged.
Senior Men: 1. Robin Worling (CAN), 2. Jack Schram (USA), 3. Brittan Morris (USA)
Senior Women: 1. Veronika Windisch (AUT), 2. Camille Browning (FRA), 3. Sarah Seibold (USA)
Juniors: 1. Jack Beatson (USA), 2. Stefan Vajsabel (CAN), 3. Zachary Pigeon (CAN)
Worling delivered an impressive home victory in the senior men’s field. The Canadian, who claimed the overall season title in the previous campaign, once again confirmed his elite status with a commanding performance in front of the home crowd. Meanwhile, Windisch and Beatson continued their dominant form, both securing crucial victories that sealed their overall titles.
World Cup Champions Crowned
With only two events on the calendar, consistency was decisive throughout the 2025/26 campaign. Every heat and every final carried significant weight in determining the overall standings.
Senior Men – Jonathan Merlino (FRA)
Jonathan Merlino etched his name into ice cross history by becoming the first French athlete ever to win the overall season title. His victory in Winterleiten and strong performance across both events earned him the distinction of inaugural ATSX Ice Cross World Cup Champion in the senior men’s category — a landmark achievement for both Merlino and French ice cross.
Senior Women – Veronika Windisch (AUT)
Veronika Windisch continued one of the most remarkable winning streaks in the sport. The Austrian has now claimed every overall season title since 2020/21, extending her reign into the first World Cup era. With victories at both stops in 2025/26, she once again demonstrated consistency, composure and technical excellence at the highest level.
Juniors – Jack Beatson (USA)
Jack Beatson further cemented his status as one of ice cross’s brightest young stars. After winning the overall title last season, he successfully defended his position in 2025/26, combining speed, technical precision and maturity beyond his years. His repeated success signals the arrival of a new generation ready to shape the future of the sport.
A Strong First World Cup Chapter
The 2025/26 season not only crowned deserving champions but also confirmed a successful transition into the World Cup era. The new format maintained the competitive intensity and prestige of previous years while setting a clear direction for continued international growth.
As the curtain falls on the first-ever ATSX Ice Cross World Cup season, the foundations are firmly in place for future expansion, new rivalries and further historic milestones.
A new era has begun — and it has already delivered history.