American Downhiller Podcast: The legendary Hahnenkamm downhill

This week’s episode covers the craziest and most dangerous downhill course on the World Cup Circuit – Kitzbuhel’s Hahnenkamm downhill. Starting from the Red Bull starthouse located at the summit of the mountain, the course winds winds its way down 2,800 vertical feet to finish in the town of Kitzbuhel – just feet from the train station. Thousands of excited fans flock to this race to watch legends emerge, and winners of this downhill even get a Gondola named after them.  

This week, the American Downhillers, Lew, AJ, Marco and Daron, try to explain what it feels like to run this two-mile monster while attempting to win and stay alive. Marco describes what it’s like to crash his very first run down the Streif. Lew shares that after watching the race at the age of 15 as a sophomore at GMVS, he vowed to never run Kitzbuel. AJ describes his historic run in 1992, which landed him on the podium in second place. Daron takes us into his mind as he focused solely on being confident, present and ready to attack every run.

The boys take you turn by turn down this legendary course and give you a perfect visual to watch the races with this weekend. Learn all you need to know about the Maussefalle, Steilhang, Alte Schneise, Larchenschuss, Hausberg, Fallaway and Ziel Sprung. Listen in and discover what it is truly like to risk it all for the glory of a Kitzbuhel win.

By the way, Daron won the Hahnenkamm DH in 2003 – the only American racer to win in the modern World Cup era. He also won the super-G in 2004. He describes what only winners know – what walking alone down the Sieger Strasse is like.

The downhills are scheduled for Friday and Sunday (Feb. 21 and 23) with a slalom sandwiched between them on the 22nd.