Hahnenkamm week is one of the great sporting events of the year. The Winter sports world holds its breath as the fearless racers tackle the greatest course of them all: The Hahnenkamm. The 2010 race in Kitzbuehel sees a number of subtle new changes that see the race remain the best of the best.  New 'A' netting has been erected down the course to help protect those racers unlucky enough to crash on the course.

But it is the disappearance of a certain Hermann Maier from the start list that will be the most talked about subject during the week.

Friday in Kitzbuehel week has for the last ten years belonged to one man. Five wins and two second places in his eight starts in the Super G meant that Rolex Testimonee, Hermann Maier could honestly say that he owned the course.  In 2008 when he came second, Maier thanked the crowd for their support as he thought he had blown his chance to add to his amazing sequence.  Racers do not often admit to listening to the crowd but on that occasion, they helped bring the legend home he admitted. This year Hermann Maier will be able to enjoy the whole race from the finish area as he decided to retire from racing just prior to the speed season starting.

The preparations for the race start long before the crowds start flocking to the Austrian resort.  Famed for its steep sections and jaw dropping speed, many an avid ski fan wants to be able to tell their friends and children that they have skied "The Streif" yet such is the work that goes into the course over a month before The Race happens, the course is roped off from the public.  The hallowed race piste is guarded by fencing and rope and anybody daring to venture onto the course can be fined up to ?1800! The race course is meticulously prepared so that only the best skiers are capable of tackling the slope: hard packed does not describe the conditions, bullet hard ice just about comes close!

It is not just on the race piste that work has been carried out.  The press centre has been modernised befitting a race of its stature.  As the race's appeal has grown over the years, more and more journalists and photographers have made Kitzbuehel a major part of their year. Now they have a place to work that respects the stature the race holds enabling them to bring bigger and better coverage from the Alpine Skiing World Cup's blue ribbon event.

In 1984 Franz Klammer won the legendary race in his final year of racing in a time that would still be respectable, 2:02.82. Since then the course has been modified and improved, always with safety in mind.  With the advances in ski technology and race suits, it is for these reasons that new netting has been placed along the course. With speeds in excess of 145kmh, keeping the racers and the adoring fans safe is of paramount importance.

And so to the racing! Didier Defago will be looking to defend his Downhill crown on Saturday as will Klaus Kroell in the Super G (Friday), Julien Lizeroux in the Slalom (Sunday) and Silvan Zurbriggen in the Combined (results taken from the Downhill and Slalom). The Herminator may have moved on but there will be plenty of racers looking to fill his position.

If you have not booked to come yet, hurry as word has it that this will be a great week of racing!

Hahnenkamm press office
Kitzbuehel, Austria
January 16, 2010

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