FIS Snow Control as Winter Returns
There was nothing but beaming faces on Friday, as snow inspections were carried out in very wintry conditions. The 86th Hahnenkamm Races, commencing on 20th January, are well and truly good to go – and Saturday is already almost sold out. To whet our appetites, no fewer than five Europa Cup races are on the programme at Pass Thurn from 14th January, before the spotlight shifts to the Virtus Open on the Kitzbüheler Horn from 4th February.
You couldn’t have made it up. Just a few hours before and during the FIS snow inspection on Friday morning, winter descended upon Kitzbühel. Finally, deep-snow skis could be dusted down for the Streif and Ganslern course inspections. Despite the 20 centimetres of fresh snow, FIS Race Director Hannes Trinkl was able to take a close look at the base layer. “It’s the same every year – you come to Kitzbühel, and everything is perfectly prepared. That’s true again this year. The Streif and Ganslern are race-ready; we could start at any time. The fresh snow helps with the safety zones and, of course, it looks fantastic,” said the Upper Austrian, thanking everyone involved from the Organising Committee and Bergbahn Kitzbühel alike. “Things really couldn’t be any better.”
Jan Überall, Managing Director of Hahnenkamm Rennen Organisations GmbH, couldn’t wipe the smile from his face in the Red Bull Zielhaus building: “Preparations over the past few weeks – based entirely on the use of artificial snow – have gone perfectly. The fact that winter has arrived exactly in time for the snow inspection really lifts the spirits. Anticipation for the races is huge.” Interest among ski fans is greater than ever: “I’m genuinely astonished by advance ticket sales. Saturday is already almost sold out and virtually all VIP tickets for all three race days have also gone.” Ski fans needn’t worry, though, as there are still plenty of tickets available in the general spectator areas for the Super-G and Slalom.
Herbert Hauser (Piste Chief on the Streif) and Christian Schroll (Deputy Piste Chief on the Ganslernhang) thanked Bergbahn Kitzbühel for their efforts in creating artificial snow, which they have been producing since November: “It meant we were able to carry out basic preparations on most of the course as early as December,” Hauser explained, while also praising the fearless and highly skilled piste machine drivers from the cable car company.
Anton Bodner, CEO of Bergbahn Kitzbühel, returned the thanks, stressing: “Our excellent cooperation is built on mutual respect, which we always receive from the Ski Club.” Incidentally, around 250,000 cubic metres of water have so far been converted into snow on the Streif and the Ganslern.
The 86th Hahnenkamm Races start with downhill training from 20th to 22nd January (free admission). The Super-G is scheduled for 23rd January, the Downhill for 24th January and the Slalom for 25th January. Twelve teams will compete this year in the international Juniors Race on 21st January at the Ganslernhang (free admission), including Great Britain and Slovakia.
Tickets for the Hahnenkamm Races are available exclusively online via the webshop. There will be no on-site ticket sales.
Five Races at Pass Thurn
If you can’t contain your appetite for speed events, a trip to Pass Thurn from next week is highly recommended, as the Europa Cup will be visiting with free entry. Two women’s downhills are scheduled for 14th and 15th January, followed by a men’s Super-G on 17th January (replacing Wengen) and two men’s downhills on 18th and 19th January. “This downhill course at Pass Thurn is more than worthy of the Europa Cup,” enthuses Mario Mittermayer-Weinhandl, Chief of Race at the Hahnenkamm Races.
Virtus Open on the Horn
Kitzbühel will round things off with a premiere between 4th and 7th February, when the Virtus Open takes place on the Kitzbüheler Horn for the very first time. This is an international race series for people with intellectual disabilities. The programme includes a Super-G (5th February), Giant Slalom (6th February) and Slalom (7th February). Admission is free!
Photo © K.S.C./Floobe Medienproduktion
