The First Europacup Downhill at Hahnenkamm

The Europacup will present a whole new challenge to the Organizing Committee of the 77^th Hahnenkamm Races, as well as a great opportunity for young athletes to gain experience in speed disciplines. For the fiftieth anniversary of the World Cup, the Hahnenkamm Races Organizing Committee will focus on the promotion of young athletes, in addition to the World Cup races. A real premiere for Kitzbühel Ski Club, as race organizers. Never before has a Europacup Downhill been held on the Streif. The Europacup is the “little brother” of the World Cup and the athletes compete at similar speeds. The key players in the Europacup are primarily young, upcoming skiers, whose destinies lie in the World Cup circuit,” explains Chief of Race, Axel Naglich, who was a forerunner on the Streif for eleven years. The EC Downhill is a good opportunity for young athletes to become acquainted with the Streif. The “full” version of the Streif, however, would not make sense. The leap from the Europacup to the Streif in its entirety is no laughing matter”, says Axel Naglich, who took over the position of Chief of Race in 2015. 17 nations are registered for the Europacup  Downhill. The first Europacup Downhill takes place in Kitzbühel on 16^th January. The race start line will be located at the Mausefalle and the finish line at Oberhausberg. “This means that if an athlete has experienced two training runs and one race on the Streif, he is already well acquainted with over 50 per cent of the course.” If he then participates in the World Cup at the Hahnenkamm in subsequent years, he can focus on the remaining sections. The race side-lines are no less spectacular for fans at the Europacup. Spectators can follow the action on skis along the Parallel Streif right down to the finishing line, where there will be a video wall with scoreboard, music and commentators. All ski fans who cannot make it to the Hahnenkamm in person can look forward to live screening of the Europacup for the first time on ORF 1, in a befitting presentation of the young athletes who are well on their way to joining the ranks of the world’s elite skiers. EC Downhill broadcasting times on ORF: 09:55 hrs– Europacup Downhill | The Countdown 10:10 hrs– Europacup Downhill | The Race