The story
Hahnenkamm Races Kitzbuehel in Kitzbuehel
The Hahnenkamm Races began in Kitzbuehel on 28-29 March 1931, growing out of the Franz Reisch memorial race tradition, and today form the most prestigious fixture on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup calendar each January. Its downhill course, the Streif, named for the Streifalm slope of the original race, is widely regarded as the toughest and most dangerous in international ski racing.
The first Hahnenkamm race took place over two days, 28 and 29 March 1931, growing out of the local tradition of the Franz Reisch memorial race and the organizers' fascination with the Kandahar races that had become the benchmark for elite alpine ski competition elsewhere in the Alps.