grateful zed
Footballguy
Just as the countdown to the new year is eagerly anticipated, so the remaining days leading up to the Hahnenkamm-Races in Kitzbühel, Austria, are carefully counted with infectious enthusiasm by the ski world as well as sports fans around the globe.
Since the inaugural race held in 1931, one thing is forever constant: he who masters the courage, exhibits the speed, attacks where possible and skis technically sound, enough so to win the famed Hahnenkamm downhill on the treacherous Streif piste, instantly becomes a ski racing legend.
Accomplish this most difficult feat and one adds his name to the record books joining some of the sport's all-time greats - luminaries like Schwabl, Pravda, Molterer, Sailer, Schranz, Killy, Collombin, Klammer, Podborski, Zurbriggen, Heinzer, Maier, Eberharter, Defago and Cuche.
In 2001, Hermann Maier further fortified his status as one of the greatest legends in Kitzbühel history winning the Hahnenkamm by 0.27 seconds ahead of teammate Hannes Trinkl. The immensely popular racer was also dominant in super-G winning five times and finishing second once between 2000-2006. Historic performances by colourful characters like Maier are what make Kitzbühel such a special place.
The biggest stars of FIS World Cup ski racing return to the hallowed slopes of Kitzbühel, the weekend of 21 - 23 January, to do battle in Friday's super-G, Saturday's vaunted downhill and Sunday's traditional slalom. As always, the combination title will also be awarded to the racer who attains the best aggregate time in both the downhill and slalom.
Snow conditions on the Streif and the Ganslern, where the slalom will take place, are excellent and on Friday, 7 January, this year's races were officially confirmed. With a snow base between 75-80 cm and with some parts exceeding 100 cm, the green light was given to organizers by Hahnenkamm Race Chairman, Michael Huber and FIS Chief Race Director, Günter Hujara.
Just who will waltz off with the prestigious Hahnenkamm trophy - awarded annually to the downhill champion - remains to be seen.
Can defending champion Didier Cuche, Carlo Janka or maybe surprising Silvan Zurbriggen extend Switzerland's streak of three consecutive victories? Will Austria's gentle giant Michael Walchhofer continue his hot streak and capture a second Hahnenkamm title in his farewell performance? Or perhaps it will be one of Walchhofer's countrymen on the rejuvenated Austrian speed team - Scheiber, Baumann or Kroell?
Perhaps the attacking Viking Aksel Lund Svindal will become the first Norwegian Hahnenkamm victor since 1990? Or maybe American Bode Miller will find the magic as only Miller can to improve upon his second place showing of 2008? Might the Canadians return to prominence much like the glory days of the Crazy Canucks in the early 80's? Or will the winner be a big surprise - as was almost the case last year with Slovenia's Andrej Sporn who so nearly won before being relegated from first place by a mere 0.26 of a second?
No matter who achieves the ultimate glory this time around in glamorous Kitzbühel - you can be assured that the 71st Hahnenkamm weekend will provide plenty of thrills, compelling action, edge-of-your-seat drama, a slice of danger and some festive celebrations along the way, all with the scenic Tyrolean Alps as a stunning backdrop.
link
my favorite sporting event ever.
up there with tdf, masters and nfl playoffs.
Since the inaugural race held in 1931, one thing is forever constant: he who masters the courage, exhibits the speed, attacks where possible and skis technically sound, enough so to win the famed Hahnenkamm downhill on the treacherous Streif piste, instantly becomes a ski racing legend.
Accomplish this most difficult feat and one adds his name to the record books joining some of the sport's all-time greats - luminaries like Schwabl, Pravda, Molterer, Sailer, Schranz, Killy, Collombin, Klammer, Podborski, Zurbriggen, Heinzer, Maier, Eberharter, Defago and Cuche.
In 2001, Hermann Maier further fortified his status as one of the greatest legends in Kitzbühel history winning the Hahnenkamm by 0.27 seconds ahead of teammate Hannes Trinkl. The immensely popular racer was also dominant in super-G winning five times and finishing second once between 2000-2006. Historic performances by colourful characters like Maier are what make Kitzbühel such a special place.
The biggest stars of FIS World Cup ski racing return to the hallowed slopes of Kitzbühel, the weekend of 21 - 23 January, to do battle in Friday's super-G, Saturday's vaunted downhill and Sunday's traditional slalom. As always, the combination title will also be awarded to the racer who attains the best aggregate time in both the downhill and slalom.
Snow conditions on the Streif and the Ganslern, where the slalom will take place, are excellent and on Friday, 7 January, this year's races were officially confirmed. With a snow base between 75-80 cm and with some parts exceeding 100 cm, the green light was given to organizers by Hahnenkamm Race Chairman, Michael Huber and FIS Chief Race Director, Günter Hujara.
Just who will waltz off with the prestigious Hahnenkamm trophy - awarded annually to the downhill champion - remains to be seen.
Can defending champion Didier Cuche, Carlo Janka or maybe surprising Silvan Zurbriggen extend Switzerland's streak of three consecutive victories? Will Austria's gentle giant Michael Walchhofer continue his hot streak and capture a second Hahnenkamm title in his farewell performance? Or perhaps it will be one of Walchhofer's countrymen on the rejuvenated Austrian speed team - Scheiber, Baumann or Kroell?
Perhaps the attacking Viking Aksel Lund Svindal will become the first Norwegian Hahnenkamm victor since 1990? Or maybe American Bode Miller will find the magic as only Miller can to improve upon his second place showing of 2008? Might the Canadians return to prominence much like the glory days of the Crazy Canucks in the early 80's? Or will the winner be a big surprise - as was almost the case last year with Slovenia's Andrej Sporn who so nearly won before being relegated from first place by a mere 0.26 of a second?
No matter who achieves the ultimate glory this time around in glamorous Kitzbühel - you can be assured that the 71st Hahnenkamm weekend will provide plenty of thrills, compelling action, edge-of-your-seat drama, a slice of danger and some festive celebrations along the way, all with the scenic Tyrolean Alps as a stunning backdrop.
link
my favorite sporting event ever.
up there with tdf, masters and nfl playoffs.
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