A Japanese skier hopes to go down in Kitzbühel history
His father became something of a legend in Kitzbühel due to a spectacular crash at the Mausefalle in 1985. His son Shiro would like to follow in his footsteps now – but without the crash part: ‘I want to create my own legacy as a Japanese skier,’ he said in an interview.
Four years after his World Cup debut, Shiro Aihara's star began to rise on 11 January 2026 in Adelboden. Starting with bib number 60, he qualified for the second run and broke into a cheer at the finish line, a show of emotion rarely seen in Japanese athletes. The highlight came in the second run: Aihara crossed the finish line, briefly took the lead and ultimately finished in 25th place, earning the first World Cup points of his career.
The 24-year-old has now returned to Kitzbühel, the place where his father still enjoys legendary status, even though he never won a race. Many fans still vividly remember Hiroyuki Aihara's spectacular crash at the Mausefalle, where he ended up spectacularly somersaulting over the fence. In 2020, ‘Hiro’ was even awarded a Hahnenkamm stone with a replica of the fence in Kitzbühel. At the time, Michael Huber said: ‘There are racers who never make it to the podium – but we think of them too.’
Kitzbühel also has a special place in Shiro Aihara's life: "On 22 January 2022, I participated in my very first World Cup race on the Ganslern Slope. I love this track with its constant changes in terrain – the ups and downs make it incredibly challenging and exciting. It's a race that I wish people all over the world could see and experience for themselves," he says with enthusiasm.
He remained unaware of the close connection between Kitzbühel and his father, Hiroyuki, for many years: “I saw footage of my father’s crash in the ,Streif' documentary,” says Shiro Aihara. Before that, I didn’t even know he was a downhill skier, or that he had raced on the Streif. It was only through these images that I truly realised what an exceptional skier my father was.“ The time has come, however, for Aihara to write his own story: “I want to keep pushing myself, to build my own legacy – and win a World Cup race myself one day.“
Shiro Aihara has already competed twice on the Ganslern slope, though he has yet to qualify for the second run. That is something he hopes to change on Sunday: “I want to show the spectators in Kitzbühel and everyone watching around the world, just how difficult, demanding and courageous it is to fight for a place in the top 30 when you have a high start number. Through this challenge, I hope to inspire more people to take up skiing – and, above all, to come and ski with us in Japan.”
The Slalom takes place on Sunday, 25 January. The first run starts at 10.30 hrs, followed by the second run at 13.30 hrs. Tickets are available exclusively via the online shop; there will be no on-site ticket sales.
Photo © ISHII IKKOKU
