A+ for Streif Preparations
Ideal conditions, cutting-edge technology and a well-drilled team: preparations on the Streif are progressing exactly to plan.
“A+” is the grade Herbert Hauser would award to the work carried out thus far. Across the board – from the circa 50 members of his piste team and the huge commitment shown by Bergbahn Kitzbühel, right down to the weather – “The conditions have really been ideal so far,” were the words of the Streif Piste Chief on Tuesday, outside the Starthaus on the Hahnenkamm.
As he speaks, his gaze keeps drifting towards a new KitzSki workhorse – “an 800”, as he calls it. “It’s heavier and not quite as nimble as other snowcats, but it has significantly more horsepower and can easily push enormous quantities of snow up the mountain at relatively low revs,” Hauser explains. The machine boasts an impressive 612 horsepower – and the Streif Chief is clearly enjoying it.
The course is now race-ready from the start, all the way down to the Gschöss section. On Wednesday, work continues on the Hausberg, the Traverse and the finishing straight, followed by the middle section on Thursday. “By the end of the week, the entire Streif should be race-ready,” Hauser says confidently.
Preparation began in November under ideal conditions, with the Bergbahn cable car company producing artificial snow. “Most of the course consists of machine-made snow. The fresh snow from recent days is perfect for the fall zones,” explains the Aurach local.
While the “800” is grooming the start section, the infamous Mausefalle, one jump further down, is being prepared for machine use. Here, the piste team waters the snow to further compact it. The goal is always the same: to create a racecourse that is as hard and uniform as possible. This is the only way to ensure that all athletes – from start number one to the last skier – encounter the same conditions.
By contrast, on the Lärchenschuss, muscle power is more important than horsepower. Here, the safety team led by Tom Voithofer is installing numerous air fences. Just one of these air cushions can weigh up to 170 kilogrammes.
Work is also being carried out diligently on the Ganslern slope this Tuesday. Wednesday is the last possible training day here – and the teams are keen to make the most of it. A training day like this is not only an important opportunity for the racers to assess their current form, but also for the piste team. After all, if necessary, there is still room for fine adjustments to be made on the Ganslern.
Despite the smooth progress so far, Herbert Hauser is not yet venturing to look ahead to the Race Week starting on 19 January. Even if the general weather situation is not expected to change according to some computer-generated predictions, he remains cautious: “I know exactly what the weather is capable of and how quickly the situation can change completely,” he says, speaking from many years of experience.
Tickets are still available for the Slalom on 25 January and the Super-G on 23 January. Saturday is already sold out. Tickets can be purchased via the official online shop.
