First Hahnenkamm Race for new Starthaus attendant
Handing over the baton in the Hahnenkamm Starthaus: Gerhard Raffler succeeds Peter Feeg and has become the new Starthaus attendant. The Ski Club veteran is now awaiting his first Hahnenkamm race in this role.
The mountain simply won't let go of Gerhard Raffler. He has worked in the Kitzbühel Ski Club mountain team for 31 years, where he was responsible for the construction and maintenance of all course facilities on the Streif and Ganslern. After retiring, the man from Reith, affectionately called the ‘Mountain Manager’, has become the new Starthaus attendant, succeeding the warm-hearted Peter Feeg, who will continue to guide guests of honour through the most beautiful Starthaus in the World Cup.
‘When KSC President Michael Huber asked me if I would like to become Starthaus attendant, I thought that a younger person would probably be better suited to the job, but Michael said ‘No, no, you’re the perfect man’, Gerhard Raffler recalls the “job interview”. He didn't have to think about it for long, as he knows the Starthaus like the back of his hand as well as the racecourses and the Hahnenkamm: ‘My wife also said that she would help me and that encouraged me even more.’ Although Martina Raffler works, she supports her husband on a voluntary basis at all events during the year and puts a lot of effort into aesthetics. ‘That's one of the two most important tasks as a start house keeper. We want our guests to feel comfortable and we want to offer a well-kept ambience 365 days a year - inside and out.’ The Starthaus not only hosts regular events organised by Kitzbühel Ski Club, it is also one of the most photographed buildings in Kitzbühel. The start area is also open to visitors during the summer season.
Serving his guests is something that comes naturally to Gerhart Raffler. He has got at least two traits that are indispensable for any restaurateur: Warmth and composure. But who is actually allowed to join him in the Starthaus during the Hahnenkamm Race? ‘I have to figure that out first,’ he says and laughs, as the 85th Hahnenkamm Races are his first as a start house attendant. ‘Traditionally, our piste and safety team often come here to warm up or discuss things. These days, the Starthaus mainly serves as a venue for FIS meetings if there are difficulties with the weather, for example. A few of Kitzbühel Ski Club’s accredited friends are also always welcome,’ says the trained mechanic. By the way, a cosy room is called the ‘forerunner room’ during Race Week and is unsurprisingly available to the forerunners during the Downhill.
Even though the big (mobile) brother next to the Starthaus, the Red Bull Energy Station, offers everything an athlete could wish for, a few participants prefer the rustic over the modern: ‘During the races, it has become customary for a few Austrian downhill skiers to warm up with us,’ reveals Gerhard Raffler, who doesn't yet know where he will be during the Downhill on Saturday. Probably: ‘Everywhere and nowhere,’ he says and laughs again. However, he would like to take some time out during training to visit the race track. While he’s gone, Heinz Rieser, a loyal helper of the KSC with regard to catering, the start judges Ernst Pirnbacher and Armin Tirala as well as Peter Feeg will be in charge of the Starthaus.
Gerhard Raffler joined the Ski Club full-time in 1991.There must be a Hahnenkamm moment that he remembers particularly well? ‘Yes, there is, and that was back in 1992. There was a minute's silence for Rudi Nierlich before the Slalom. He won on the Ganslern slope in 1990 and passed away in May 1991.I will never forget the silence of the thousands of spectators. You couldn’t hear a pin drop.’
Photo © K.S.C./alpinguin
