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Weather reports were favourable, with Race Week being forecast to be the „coolest“ metres above the Starthaus. Apart from Austria’s Julian Schütter sustaining an injury on
week in January and fresh snow from the middle of the week. entering the “Steilhang” section, the second Downhill on the Streif was thrilling and
composed in equal measure.
RACE WEEK
At the beginning of Race Week, the Streif and Ganslern slopes were ribbons of „white SUNDAY: Officials and slalom slope team members commenced work on the
and green,“ in keeping with Kitzbühel town’s official municipal colours. Be that as it Ganslernhang from 04:00 a.m., with extra support from the Austrian Army. But again,
may, after the first Jury inspection, the white strips of the Streif and Ganslern slopes were less snow fell than anticipated, so the athlete course inspection could take place
deemed to be “in great shape.” With so much praise, it seemed nothing could now punctually at 9 a.m., with the arrival of the course setters and slip crew.
stand in the way of the forthcoming races. Many questions, however, were being The slalom slope could be compared to a “glacier” this year, too slippery and challeng-
raised: how will this work with the spectators, there are no frozen parking spaces ing for some, but thoroughly enjoyed by the racers! The sun, which came out in the
available for the train shuttle, can spectators walk on the golf course in the finish area? morning hours, did its part to warm the hearts of all those involved.
Even coaches and support staff were not yet able to use the Parallel Streif slope to ski
down to the valley. Thanks to favourable weather forecasts, however, the prevailing ANECDOTES
atmosphere was one of optimism. Consequently, Tuesday’s training session went with-
out hitch, after which approx. 5-10 cm of fresh snow fell in the valley and 10-20 cm on BURNING SNOW CANNON!
the mountain every day from Wednesday to Sunday, transforming the town and Just in time to coincide with the onset of winter on 22 November, fire alarms sound-
nd
mountains into a frosty “winter wonderland.” The second training session on Thursday ed at Kitzbühel Voluntary Fire Brigade at 07:00 a.m. It was reported that a snow
therefore took place amidst new snow conditions and at a later start time, but all went cannon was on fire in the slalom finish area. What sounded like a joke was in fact
well and everyone was “race ready.” The show can go on! reality. A technical defect caused a smouldering blaze, which was quickly brought
under control by the fire brigade and police. Could this be an omen for the up-coming
RACE DAYS Hahnenkamm Races?

FRIDAY: It was almost impossible to beat the excitement created by the first Downhill FIS SNOW CHECK!
race, one of the best races in many years. Favourites Kilde (NOR) and Odermatt After the 14-day-long „heat wave“ over the Christmas holidays and New Year, the
(SUI) had to dig deep in their skill set to avoid falling in both the finish approach and first cold day arrived on official snow check day, a public holiday, the 6th January.
“Steilhang” sections. The Swiss athlete unfortunately sustained injury and had to take a Despite the racecourses being surrounded by much “green”, the Streif and Ganslern
break for the remaining race days. A furore ensued after a fall beyond the finish jump zere in super shape, with plenty of snow coverage and a rock-hard surface.
by Norway’s Henrik ROEA, wearing bib number 48. Unable to get up, he lay inert in This seemed nothing short of a miracle and allowed the green light to be given for
the finish area before being recovered by rescue helicopter. There were also problems the races. Final preparations could now commence.
with digital access control at the main entrances, which caused some queues. The day
ended with an enjoyable prize giving ceremony and bib-number draw at the “Zielhaus”. FLOATING GRANDSTAND!
Lack of snow in the finish area (golf course) prevented usual material transport methods
SATURDAY: This year, as has often been the case in the past, it was necessary to work by snow groomers. An emergency contingency plan involved laying a construction
through the night from Friday to Saturday, as a dump of new snow was forecast. The road for the Downhill grandstand, along which the Slalom grandstand „floated“ from
army, slope managers and slip crews, together with grooming machinery operators, ski the car park to the installation site at the Ganslern finish, thanks to a large mobile crane.
instructors and piste officials were all in action from midnight until the early hours of the This too had never been seen before!
morning, leaving nothing to chance. Again, less snow fell than was forecast, meaning
everything was ready at the official start time. A persistent bank of fog was all that re-
mained to potentially throw a spanner in the works. Luckily, this hovered just a few

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