Page 93 - Fotobuch 2021

True to the motto, “You win some, you lose some,” federal and provincial politi- Incredulous amazement. The rollercoaster ride of emotions continues, nerves are fraz-
cians and the ÖSV pull the plug for safety reasons and cancel the double slaloms zled. On Sunday, polar air masses then transform the Streif back into the Streif we
planned for Kitzbühel. The event is reallocated to Flachau, where women‘s compe- know and love, the “Zielsprung” jump functions smoothly and everyone breathes a
titions are currently taking place. In the meantime, 2/3 of the population in Joch- huge sigh of relief. Beat Feuz is crowned double winner. Peace, joy and happiness.
berg are tested, a few days later the whole district of Kitzbühel. Result: no cluster,
the spread of the virus mutation is stopped in its tracks. So far, so good. We take a deep Disappointment is felt particularly keenly by the SL team surrounding slope manager
breath. Stefan Lindner and his deputy Christian Schroll. The Ganslern slalom slope had been
worked on since 2nd January and is in fabulous shape. After the official cancellation
On Sunday 17th January, the Tyrolean government gives us the news we want to of the Kitzbühel double Slalom, the Ganslern was only used for a few training runs
hear: Kitzbühel is allowed to start Race Week with the remaining „Speed“ program- by the World Cup teams. The only time the lift and piste were in operation for the
me. The relief is palpable, even in the remotest corners of the Hahnenkamm. Then entire winter of 2020/21. So, it’s no wonder that everyone has high hopes for the
BOOM again! News follows in the evening that Markus Waldner has tested positive Slalom next year!
in Flachau and has to go into quarantine. The Jury for Kitzbühel has to be reshuffled,
„Manu“ Couder takes over the leading role. Arrivals on the Monday of Race Week, Monday, the Super-G as an extra special treat! The 6th time a race has been held
Tuesday „stand-by“ for slope grooming after snowfall the day before, Wednesday on a Monday in Kitzbühel. Excerpt from the sports programme: The very first time in
the first training runs on what the media describe as a „completely harmless Streif“. HKR history without a Slalom, but for the third time with three „speed competitions“ on
Thursday: Frenchman Clarey crashes at the finish line jump during training, but it is not one weekend. And the 81st HKR is the first in the races’ 80-year history to have no
serious. Experts continue to assess the Streif 2021 as „easy“ to ski. No other special supporting or social programme.
incidents.
And repeated testing, social distancing, face masks and caution. Thanks to care,
Race day Friday. Empty, emptier, emptiest. The appeal of „Please don‘t come to watch consideration and attention, everything remains under control. Corona remains all-
the races“ combined with other measures and checks work. From the start to finish line, pervading despite the classic Hahnenkamm events. The Austrian Armed Forces is the
uphill and downhill, but especially in the town centre. A gaping void of emptiness. The only group to be impacted by the virus, with the unit from Carinthia having to return
mood is subdued, but the first race takes place. Then American Cochran-Siegle takes to its home barracks after multiple positive cases. Just the Styrian corps remain on
a tumble in the Hausberg Traverse, followed Swiss Kryenbuehl crashing out from the site for the race days. Working in small groups functions well within the Organizing
finish jump to beyond the finish line. Both are rescued by helicopter. Rescue opera- Committee. Liaising online like never before, but still alone. It works, but it is strange.
tions take a long time, the Swiss athlete is unconscious. The subdued mood evolves
into abject horror, then to disappointment and anger. Why, oh why? The jury puts an From an aesthetic point of view, the highlights were the start and finish line. The modern
end to the drama after start number 30. An alarming disruption for the second time in Start House at the top, where the digital start wall celebrated its premiere, and the
5 years, in the long history of the races since 1931. The reason - too much speed at flag parade in retro look at the finish. Acoustics are improved by the dulcet tones of
the finish jump, causing skiers to lose control. The question as to whether the Downhill the new announcer and discreet rhythmic music in the background. You can still talk to
should still take place is on everyone’s lips. The finish jump is completely reconstruc- each other while maintaining social distancing. Everything is done to ensure people
ted by machine on Friday evening. Well, as far as humanly possible, as the mountain are protected from the virus. It’s great. What remains - is where we go from here. It is
remains the mountain and nature has its limits. difficult to assess the economic impact, the sporting consequences and the pandemic-
related spectator situation in a year‘s time. At the 82nd Hahnenkamm Races from
“Foehn” winds on Saturday with light precipitation and a warm spell from early mor- 17th - 23rd January 2022. Whatever happens. It will be time to:
ning. The Jury cancels tsecond Downhill. Yet another low. What to do, how can we
continue? The decision comes at noon: the Downhill will be held on Sunday, the
Super-G postponed to Monday. Join the roller coaster of emotions at Hahnenkamm!
93