Ski Canada Celebrates on the Hahnenkamm

What a celebration on the Hahnenkamm: almost 200 guests attended the gondola presentation ceremony to Downhill champion, James Crawford, including a whole host of Canadian ski heroes, both seasoned legends and fresh-faced talents

There was a time when Canada’s speed team was a seemingly unstoppable force, and nowhere was that more evident than in Kitzbühel between 1980 and 1983: Back then, the legendary Crazy Canucks - Ken Read, Steve Podborski and Todd Brooker – racked up four consecutive victories on the notorious Streif. That winning streak may have ended decades ago, but the long dry spell was finally broken this January, thanks to James Crawford. And now, at the very scene of his greatest triumph, the 28-year-old had another reason to smile: on Tuesday, a Hahnenkamm cable car gondola was officially named in his honour. “It took me 17 attempts at competing in Kitzbühel before I finally won,” said the speed specialist from Toronto. Words can’t even begin to describe what this means to me”. The fact that his Downhill victory on the Streif on 25th January 2025 was also his first World Cup victory makes the day even more special for James Crawford.

“You never just win for yourself,” Crawford added, visibly moved. “You win for everyone who means something to you. And I feel that especially today, seeing everyone who’s come all this way to Kitzbühel with me.” Among those cheering him on were his parents, Angus Crawford and Laurel Scott, sister Candace, Aunt Trudy, Grandma Alexandra, girlfriend Tess Thompson, teammates Brodie Seger and Jeffrey Read, and former Canadian ski stars Ken Read, Jon Kucera and Jan Hudec. All told, nearly 200 guests gathered for the gondola ceremony – a tribute not just to Crawford’s talent, but to the spirit of Canadian skiing.

Anton Bodner, CEO of the Kitzbühel Cable Car Company, was keen to emphasise just how much Crawford’s win means: “Every winner needs a bit of luck. But only the very best win a Hahnenkamm Race. James, you’re one of those elite few – and a true role model for the next generation!”

Hahnenkamm Chief of Race, Mario Mittermayer-Weinhandl, wholeheartedly agreed: “To win on the Streif, you can’t just be fast and a little bit crazy – you have to be a consummate downhill skier. And James, that’s exactly what you were that day. You earned that victory.” And while Mario may once have idolised Austrian legend Franz Klammer, he confessed, “Ever since the days of the Crazy Canucks and Ken Read, I’ve always been a staunch supporter of the maple leaf.”

When asked what he hopes for from Kitzbühel in the future, Crawford didn’t hesitate: “May the course always stay as icy and fearsome as it is – that’s what makes the Streif so special. As long as that doesn’t change, I’ll happily come back year after year and take the risk.” And perhaps he’ll achieve another dream: “If you win here twice – or even three times – that puts you among the true greats.”

Speaking of greatness, there was a surprise in store at the end of the ceremony: Ken Read, winner of the Streif back in 1980, also received official recognition – his own gondola! To be fair, it’s been quietly trundling up and down the Hahnenkamm since 1996, but it was only now officially dedicated to the 69-year-old. Sometimes, good things really do come to those who wait.

Photo © K.S.C./alpinguin