January 25th, 2009 by matt
Reinfried Herbst looking gutted with his trainer after missing a gate - image © skiingaustria.co.uk
Going into the second run of the mens Hahnenkamm slalom 2009, Reinfried Herbst of Austria had a half second lead over Jean Baptiste Grange from France but after missing a gate on the second run he allowed a French one two with Julien Lizeroux taking the win from French compatriot Jean Baptiste Grange.
The results from the 2 runs of the mens Hahnenkamm slalom 2009:
1. LIZEROUX Julien FRA 46.88 46.95 1:33.83
2. GRANGE Jean-Baptiste FRA 45.88 48.03 1:33.91
3. THALER Patrick ITA 47.20 47.30 1:34.50
4. HIRSCHER Marcel AUT 47.66 46.93 1:34.59
5. VAJDIC Bernard SLO 46.86 48.19 1:35.05
6. BROLENIUS Johan SWE 47.38 47.87 1:35.25
7. KOSTELIC Ivica CRO 46.12 49.16 1:35.28
8. WHITE Trevor CAN 47.05 48.50 1:35.55
9. MYHRER Andre SWE 47.53 48.07 1:35.60
10. JANYK Michael CAN 47.20 48.47 1:35.67
11. ZURBRIGGEN Silvan SUI 47.52 48.23 1:35.75
12. HOERL Wolfgang AUT 47.20 48.61 1:35.81
13. MOELGG Manfred ITA 47.11 48.74 1:35.85
14. IMBODEN Urs MDA 48.27 47.80 1:36.07
15. MYHRE Lars Elton NOR 48.18 48.03 1:36.21
16. VILETTA Sandro SUI 48.30 48.49 1:36.79
17. ALBRECHT Kilian BUL 48.27 48.56 1:36.83
18. MERMILLOD BLONDIN Thomas FRA 48.12 48.88 1:37.00
19. VOGEL Markus SUI 47.71 49.33 1:37.04
20. KRYZL Krystof CZE 48.17 49.09 1:37.26
21. MISSILLIER Steve FRA 47.65 53.37 1:41.02
The crowds were as usual not as big as the for the Saturday downhill but the course was lined with screaming spectators, whilst the finish area was packed deep with race fans. The resort centre of Kitzbuhel was again festive with music, mobile food and drink stalls and many visitors soaking up the atmosphere. I skied the run later in the day – very steep and sheet ice!
I skied the course later in the day, how these guys stay on their feet on steep, sheet ice is beyond me - image © skiingaustria.co.uk
January 24th, 2009 by matt
A wall of ice: the top section of the Streif, Hahnenkamm, Kitzbuhel - image © skiingaustria.co.uk
Despite the Austrians failing to win for the second successive day on the revered Hahnenkamm race course the Austrians still waved flags, sang and celebrated the greatest ski race on the winter calendar. Coming 2nd and 3rd, the Austrians surrendered the win to their fierce rivals Switzerland on day of drama, superb weather and an outstanding race course. Complete with a press pass around my neck I ventured into media section of the finish area and watched US racer T. J. Lanning take down a large section of the safety nets before the race returned with Hermann Maier sending the crowd wild to take top spot from a start bib of 7. Didier Defago eventually won for Switzerland with Michael Walchhofer 2nd and Klaus Kroell 3rd for Austria. The after race celebrations match the spectacle of the race with thousands of visitors drinking and dancing in the heart of what I think is the most complete ski holiday resort in the Alps. For those who have yet to see a Kitzbuhel Hahnenkamm race weekend then add to the ‘to do’ list – it is without doubt the most incredible winter sports event in existence.
The post-race Hahnenkamm, Kitzbuhel party is legendary- image © skiingaustria.co.uk
January 17th, 2009 by matt
So with just a few days before the race training starts at the Kitzbuhel Hahnenkamm ski race, the downhill and slalom courses are rated as being in the best shape for many years. The race organisers create what amounts to be a near vertical ice rink that optimally is devoid of any fresh or loose snow. Odd as it sounds this is just how the racers like it, even when it means higher speeds on fearsome steeps and sheet ice on high speed, steep and tight corners. So with heavy snow forecast for Wednesday and Thursday and the races due to start on Friday, it is easy to see why the snow is about as welcome as it would be during the Kitzbuhel tennis open that takes place each summer. For countries with an aggressive eye on Austrian territory then the 21st and 22nd January 2009 might well be the time to march into Austria, most of the Austrian armed forces are likely to clinging to the slopes of the Streif with shovels in hand, clearing snow from the race course as it dumps from the sky.