Superlative Conditions on the Streif
A mere month away from the first Downhill training run, the Streif is already in excellent shape. Perfect weather conditions are also playing a helpful hand during racecourse preparation work. Tickets are available in the webshop.
Kitzbühel is currently blessed with fantastic conditions, not only for winter sports enthusiasts, but also for the hard-working preparation team on the Streif and Ganslernhang slopes: blue skies, bright sunshine, optimum temperatures and an abundance of snow. It is days like these that bring a special sense of optimism and good cheer to the men in their unmistakable blue ski suits as they go about their work. “The racecourse couldn’t be in better condition”, declared Herbert Hauser, Chief of Piste at the Streif, on Friday morning, ahead of basic grooming operations over the weekend. “We have already produced sufficient artificial snow and temperatures in the weeks before Christmas were ideal for its distribution”. Up to 40 centimetres of snow has fallen since Christmas, which now needs to be processed: “We tend to move fresh snow into potential crash zones in order to redistribute artificial snow over the racecourse as it is, quite simply, of a more compact quality”, said Herbert Hauser, describing the task at hand.
Up to three snowcats from the Bergbahn Kitzbühel Cable Car Co. are currently deployed on the Streif to distribute the “white gold”. Where necessary, water is used to further compact the snow-cover. What does Herbert Hauser hope for in the coming weeks leading up to the races? “It would be great if the weather remained as stable as it is now. I wouldn’t even have a problem if it snowed 20 or 30 centimetres every now and then. Bluebird conditions during Race Week would be a dream”.
Another dream for the Organisers would be, of course, to see thousands of smiling spectators again – be it alongside the race route, or in the finish area. Tickets for the general standing area are exclusively available in the webshop. There will be no ticket sales on site. Children and teenagers (born in 2007 or younger) enjoy free admission (please bring photo ID). Adults pay € 35 (Friday and Sunday) or € 40 (Saturday).
Photo © K.S.C./Floobe Medienproduktion