The Streif Savours the Calm
Just days before the first training run, the downhill course is race-ready and closed to the public. On Friday, the safety team completed work in the finish area, while the start hut was erected on the Ganslern within a few hours.
The weather has played along beautifully over the past few days. The Streif is ready and now officially closed. That creates one of those rare, almost magical moments: standing below the Mausefalle, gazing up at that wall of snow in awe, and hearing absolutely nothing. The course – and the snow – are now being left in peace, so they can harden and compact.
Work continues meanwhile on the Super-G course, more precisely on the short start section that does not traverse the Streif. A piste basher prepares this stretch in the morning, carving its lines with surgical precision. The Super-G start hut will also be built there over the weekend. In the meantime, the slalom start hut for 25 January was erected at lightning speed on Friday morning.
The entire finish area is a hive of activity. The spectator grandstand is taking shape on the Ganslern slope, while on the Streif, Tom Voithofer’s safety team is hard at work, with all hands on deck. “We’re installing 56 air fences, with a BC fence behind them for extra stability,” Tom explains. Although work in the finish area is already in full swing, his team is not quite done yet. Over the weekend, additional air cushions will be placed at the Hausbergkante, and the safety fencing along the final run-in will be installed.
“Thanks to the fantastic weather, we’re very much on schedule,” says a pleased and relaxed Tom Voithofer, confident of meeting his deadline. “Everything has to be in place by Monday lunchtime.”
Incidentally, the Hahnenkamm races have only a minimal impact on skiing in Kitzbühel, with just the Streif and the Ganslernhang closed to the general public. All other runs are not only open, but also in excellent condition. Seasoned locals particularly enjoy skiing in Kitzbühel just before the races, as it tends to be a little quieter than during the rest of the winter.
Saturday sold out earlier this week, but tickets for Friday and Sunday are still available – exclusively via the online shop. There will be no on-site ticket sales.
Photo © K.S.C./alpinguin
