222 CultureShock! Austria
a ball. There are many Tanzschule (dance schools), and some
have private lessons in English. In Vienna, check out Ellmayer
(Bräunerstrasse 13, 1st district), Immervoll (Hietzinger
Hauptstrasse 6, 13th district) and Wiater (Martinstrasse 96,
18th district). For dance schools throughout the country,
check out the website http://www.tanz.or.at.Spectator Sports
Austrians are especially proud of their world champion
professional skiers, including Hermann Maier, Toni Sailer, Franz
Klammer, Karl Schranz, Annemarie Moser-Pröll and Renate
Götschl. Austrian skiers consistently rank among the best in
international competitions. Austria has hosted many world and
European championships, among them Alpine Skiing World
Championships, Nordic Skiing World Championships, Ice
Hockey World Championships and ski jumping competitions.
If you want to fit in, keep abreast of professional ski events;
they are likely to come up in conversation.
Austrians also enjoy watching Fussball (soccer) matches,
and their national team made it to the 1998 World Cup.
Many Austrians are interested in motor and motorcycle
racing. There is a Formula 1 track near Graz. Austria’s most
famous driver is Niki Lauda, who won the Formula 1 World
Championship title in 1975, 1977 and 1984. Jochen Rindt,
Franz Wurz, his son Alexander Wurz and Gerhard Berger
are other well-known names. Austrians also enjoy betting
on the horses races. Races take place at the Freudenau Track
at the Prater on specific days. If you’re only interested in
betting, there are a number of places to do so, often located
in train stations.Spas
Austria has a number of spa resorts that treat a variety of
ailments and offer curative waters, curative mud treatments,
kneipp cures, dietetic treatments and acupuncture. Thermal
baths are found all over the country, in Alpine resorts and in
eastern Austria. Sulfur springs are said to be good for joints,
muscles, the nervous system and certain skin problems.
Baden, near Vienna, is famous for its sulfur springs, as is Bad