In the first episode of the new top ten series on the Skiing is Believing podcast, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan Rigg and Matt Garcka welcomed nine-time World Cup Downhill winner Daron Rahlves back to the show. Together, they discussed their top ten male downhill racers of all time.
Legendary Stories
Matt, Alan, and Daron chatted about legends on the slopes. Rahlves shares intriguing stories from the time he has spent with legendary downhillers such as Franz Klammer, Hermann Maier, and Stephen Eberharter.
Additionally, he reminisced on memories from his time with some of the very best. One highlight included the behind-the-scenes story of the film about Franz Klammer’s iconic 1976 Olympic gold medal run in Innsbruck and the role he played in bringing it to life.
You’ll also hear some of Daron’s most unforgettable Kitzbühel stories, including the time Hermann Maier blasted him with a wave of snow and how he got his revenge the following year during course inspection on the legendary Streif.
Future Contenders
They shared their thoughts on the current stars who could potentially be part of this conversation in the future, with Aleksander Aamodt Kilde coming close to a place on the list. Daron Rahlves, as the most successful American downhiller of all time, also told the listeners his opinion on the current strength of the younger racers like Marco Odermatt and Franjo von Allmen. He emphasized that they may be considered for the top ten as well.
Safety in Downhill
During the discussion, they noted how safety standards have evolved significantly since the days of Karl Schranz and Franz Klammer, when racers were protected by hay bales rather than multiple layers of safety nets, and how major jumps on the toughest courses are now often reduced in size. These changes were an important part of the broader conversation about the discipline. Daron argues that some of the downhill courses should still contain bumpier tracks than the meticulously prepped courses we see on the current “White Circus.”
This is the first episode of the Skiing is Believing podcast’s new top ten series, so stay tuned for more. Next week, join Matt and Alan with one of the world’s best giant slalom racers in the last decade. Follow the podcast throughout the off-season on Instagram and YouTube at @skiingisbelievingpodcast, and feel free to reach out to the podcast with feedback, advice, or any questions at any time using mattgarcka.skiingisbelieving@gmail.com.
About the Author: Matt Garcka
