Kitzbühel Streif 2023: Top facts, stats, and records about iconic Austrian downhill ski course
Who has won the most races on the Hahnenkamm slope? How long is the fearsome Streif course? Who set the time record? Who was the oldest and youngest winner? Read on to find out.
Alpine Skiing
The Kitzbühel downhill event is the most watched and most famous alpine skiing competition in the world.
Who has won most races on the Hahnenkamm slope? How long is the fearsome Streif course? Who set the time record? Who was the oldest and youngest winner?
Ahead of the 2023 World Cup speed events on 20-21 January, we’ll answer those question and we’ll take a look at some of the facts and stats about this iconic event that every year has an estimated global audience of about 300 million people.
Kitzbühel downhill: When was the first race on the Streif?
Races have been organised in Kitzbühel since 1906, but the first event on the legendary Streif took place in 1937. Then racing on the Hahnenkamm returned in 1946 and has continued until now excluding eight years (1952, 1964, 1970, 1971, 1988, 1993, 2005, and 2007).
Kitzbühel downhill: Key numbers of the Streif
The length of the Streif course is 3.312km (2.058 mi). It starts at an elevation of 1,665m (5,463 ft) and finishes at 805m (2,641 ft) above sea level.
The average gradient is 27 percent, with a maximum of 85% at the Mausefalle section. For more stats on the course check here.
Kitzbühel downhill: Record time
In 1997 Fritz Strobl of Austria set the fastest time of 1:51.58 over the full 3.3km course.
Kitzbühel downhill: Record speed
Another Austrian man, Michael Walchhofer, recorded the fastest speed of 153kph in 2006.
Kitzbühel downhill: Record for most wins
Didier Cuche of Switzerland won the event more times than anyone else: five (1998, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012). The previous record was held by Austria’s Karl Schranz and Franz Klammer with four. Swiss skiers Pirmin Zurbriggen, Franz Heinzer, and Beat Feuz, France’s Luc Alphand, and Italy’s Dominik Paris follow with three victories each.
Kitzbühel downhill: Youngest and oldest winner
Franz Klammer was 21 years and 46 days old when he won his first race on the Hahnenkamm on 18 January 1975, while Didier Cuche was 37 years and 158 days old when he claimed the event for the fifth and last time on 21 January 2012.
Kitzbühel downhill: Which country has historically dominated the event?
Since Thaddeus Schwalbe won the first race on the Streif in 1937, Austrians have won the race 38 times. Switzerland is next best with 21 wins.
Kitzbühel downhill: How many people watch the event every year?
Around 90,000 spectators attend The Hahnenkamm Race weekend every year, while over 300 million fans from all over the world follow the races on TV.
When is the 2023 Kitzbühel downhill?
Below is the schedule for the men's World Cup races in Kitzbühel, Austria.
Friday 20 January 2023
- Men's Downhill from 11:30 CET (05:30 EST)
Saturday 21 January 2023
- Men's Downhill from 11:30 CET (05:30 EST)
Sunday 22 January 2023
- Men's Slalom - Run 1: 10:30 CET (04:30 EST); Run 2: 13:30 CET (07:30 EST)
How to watch 2023 Alpine Ski World Cup races in Kitzbühel
Fans in the U.S. can watch the races live on NBC/Peacock.
In Europe, all FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events are streamed live on Eurosport's digital platforms and discovery+.
For more details on how to watch the USA team in this World Cup season click here.