Last weekend was the running of the one of the classic downhills on the World Cup Circuit. The Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuhel is one of the most spectacular and dangerous races on the tour. Didier Cuche (SUI) recorded his fifth win to overcome the great Franz Klammer (AUT) for the record for most wins. It also included some serious injuries. Canadians are no strangers to both aspects of this race.
Here is a quote from Wikipedia on the history of the race including the past winners:
The Hahnenkammrennen are the annual races, held since 1931 and a fixture of the men’s World Cup since its inception in the 1967 season. The races were originally held in March, and sometimes in early February (1949 & 1951). Beginning in 1953, the races at Kitzbühel have been held in mid to late January, often the week following the Lauberhorn in Wengen, Switzerland, another classic downhill.
Thirties years ago was Crazy Canucks’ Steve Podborski first of two wins of the fame downhill course. Canadians won this race in four straight years (Read, Podborski (2), Brooker) in the early Eighties. Canadians had great wins here, but also serious injuries (Brooker and Steemle shown on the bottom on this post).
Steve Podborski 1981 win
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Skiers with most victories:
Didier Cuche SUI: 5
Franz Klammer AUT: 4
Luc Alphand FRA: 3
Franz Heinzer SUI: 3
Karl Schranz AUT: 3
Pirmin Zurbriggen SUI: 3
Roland Collombin SUI: 2
Stephan Eberharter AUT: 2
Lasse Kjus NOR: 2
Steve Podborski CAN : 2
Fritz Strobl AUT: 2
Josef Walcher AUT: 2
Peter Wirnsberger AUT: 2
Todd Brooker CAN: 1
Sepp Ferstl GER : 1
Kristian Ghedina ITA: 1
Marc Girardelli LUX: 1
Bruno Kernen SUI: 1
Jean Claude Killy FRA: 1
Hans Knauss AUT: 1
Guenther Mader AUT : 1
Daniel Mahrer SUI: 1
Hermann Maier AUT: 1
Gerhard Nenning AUT: 1
Patrick Ortlieb AUT: 1
Daron Rahlves USA: 1
Ken Read CAN: 1
Michael Walchhofer AUT: 1
Harti Weirather AUT: 1
Victories by Country:
Austria: 22
Switzerland: 15
Canada: 4 (1980-1983 – 4 straight years)
France: 4
Norway: 2
Germany: 1
Italy: 1
Luxembourg: 1
United States: 1
Todd Brooker’s career ending crash in 1987
Brian Stemmle’s 1989 life threatening crash.
Previous posts on the Crazy Canucks on Ski Mad World:
The POD! Inspirational. Brooker and Stemmle, sobering. Now I am going skiing, will try to channel Podborski.