Being the absolute highlight of every World Cup season, the Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel are set to begin on January 21th 2022 and last until January 23th 2022. Two downhill runs and a slalom are on the program for the 82nd edition. The prize money is as high as never before: One million euros will be distributed in total! The winners of the races alone will receive over 100,000 euros each.
Downhill on the Streif
The highlight of the Kitzbühel weekend is the spectacular Streif downhill race, which will take place on Friday, January 21, and Sunday, January 23, starting at 11:30. With jumps of up to 80 meters, maximum inclines of 80% and speeds as fast as 140 kilometers per hour, the course offers as much excitement as one can possibly expect.
Referring to the Mausefalle, Steilhang and Hausbergkante, even 5-time champion Didier Cuche once said „I think we're crazy!“. With bad weather, the course can get extremely dangerous, with severe falls happening frequently on the Streif.
The Streif: dates and facts
| slope length | 3,312 meters |
|---|---|
| starting point | Hahnenkamm mountain station (1,665 meters) |
| finishing point | Rasmusleiten (805 meters) |
| altitude difference | 860 meters |
| maximum speed | up to 140 kilometers per hour in the finish area (average of 103 kilometers per hour during the entire race) |
| maximum incline | 85 percent in the Mausefalle |
| longest jumps | 80 meters in the Mausefalle and during finishing jump |
| course record | 1:51:58 minutes by Fritz Strobl (AUT) in 1997 |
| most wins | Didier Cuche (SUI), 5 wins |
| 2021 champion | Beat Feuz (SUI) |
| price money 2022 | 374.000 CHF (First: 110.000, Second: 55.000) |
By the way: The Streif is open for everyone during the winter. However, they key areas - Mausefalle, Steilhang and Hausbergkante - are extremely icy, so only the most advanced skiers are advised to go there. The „Family Streif“ (Familienstreif) is better suited to intermediate skiers, as it avoids the most difficult parts of the slope.
Check out more information on the Kitzbühel ski resort here.
Slalom skiing at the Ganslernhang
A fixed part of the Hahnekamm races is also the slalom, had to be held in Flachau last year due to corona-related postponements. This year, however, it is again firmly scheduled and will take place on Saturday, January 22, in Kitzbühel. The 1st run starts at 10.30 a.m., the second run at 1.30 p.m.
International ski races have been held on the Ganslern slope, which takes its name from the Gänsbach stream flowing nearby, since as early as 1937. Even if it doesn't look very steep at first glance, the Ganslern slope in Kitzbühel has it all. Salom specialist Felix Neureuther describes the 590-meter-long course as "treacherous". This is because the terrain contains many edges and bumps, so that no two turns are the same.
Dates and facts about the Slalom race at the Ganslernhang
| slope length | 590 meters |
|---|---|
| starting point | mountain station Ganslern-Bahn (1,004 meters) |
| finishing point | Naturstadion (811 meters) |
| altitude difference | 193 meters |
| maximum incline | 70 percent (35 percent average throughout the course) |
| most wins | Ingemar Stenmark (SWE), 5 wins |
| 2020 champion | Daniel Yule (SUI) |
| price money 2022 | 374.000 CHF (First: 110.000, Second: 55.000) |
1000 spectators are allowed
After last year's Hahnenkamm races had to take place without any fans at all, this year at least 1000 spectators per day are allowed to be present. This applies to both the race and training runs. Every visitor needs a 2G certificate (vaccinated or recovered) and additionally a negative PCR test (max 72h). An FFP2 mask must be worn in the entire spectator area, which may only be removed for food and drinks. This year there will only be seats in the grandstand and no standing room in the finish area.
Tickets for the training runs on Wednesday and Thursday start from 30 euros and are available in the ski club's online shop. To prevent black market sales, grandstand tickets for the races will not be sold online. Anyone who wants one must send an email with their ticket request to ticket@hahnenkamm.com. The prices for Friday and Sunday are 154 euros per person. The race on Saturday costs 254 euros per person.
