Featured Image: KITZBUEHEL,AUSTRIA,21.JAN.24 – ALPINE SKIING – FIS World Cup, Hahnenkamm-race, slalom, men. Image shows the rejoicing of Linus Strasser (GER). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Christian Moser

Linus Strasser grabbed onto the slalom victory at the Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbühel, Austria. After days of celebration at the 84th Hahnenkamm and a town that had not slept, the dedicated fans still bellowed with cheers when Strasser skied into the finish, posting the fastest time (-0.14). It was the first German win in 10 years in the Kitzbühel slalom. 

He stated, “I am normally not a guy searching for words. But right now, I do not know what to say. I made it! I Fu**ing made it!”

The Hahnenkamm slalom presents a formidable challenge for the elite athletes participating in the World Cup circuit. Despite a more manageable and rhythmic course set, compared to previous iterations on the Ganslernhang track, approximately 40% of male competitors did not finish on the first run.

During the second run, a notable disparity in the conditions compared to the first run was the lighting. The athletes had to push through the flat light and trust their inspection of the terrain, which added to the demands of this hill. 

It did not hold Linus Strasser back. He was sending it from top to bottom, which paid off. “I learned to ski here and took my first turns here. I always dreamed of coming back as a World Cup skier and winning a World Cup here,” he continued, “This is a big one.”

First run’s victor, Kristoffer Jakobsen of Sweden, had to calm his excitement to execute a second run that could earn him his first World Cup triumph. He did an outstanding job of focusing on putting down a solid second run. Unfortunately, he fell short of first place, ending the day behind Strasser by +0.14. 

Although Jakobsen did not climb to the top of the podium, this was still a huge day for him. He achieved his 3rd World Cup podium on one of the most challenging and dynamic slalom hills on the circuit. 

Wearing the leader’s slalom World Cup bib, Manuel Feller unveiled from the beginning of the track that he was not finishing without a fight for his first victory at Kitzbühel. He was taking risky, aggressive moves, but he was unable to clinch the lead. He finished the day in 4th place, +0.59 of the podium. 

Daniel Yule of Switzerland has not been on a 2024 podium, so he was eager to take advantage of the second run. He skied aggressively from beginning to end, building momentum through each turn. Yule was in the lead until the last pitch, losing time at the very end. He rounded out the podium, achieving 3rd place. 

Dave Ryding finished 10th place after the first run. Right before kicking out of the start, he said to himself, “Come on! Just send it!” He had a superb performance, sending it from top to bottom. He came through -1.00 ahead of Italian Tommaso Sala, who was holding the lead. Ryding achieved 5th place.  

In the finish corral, Ryding’s sportsmanship shined as he immediately cheered into the camera for his teammate, Billy Major. The two British racers were tied after the first run, and Major ended in 13th place, his first top 15 in a World Cup slalom. 

Jakobsen’s teammate, Fabian Ax Swartz, was the highest bib to qualify for the second run. He took risks and skied an aggressive line. He finished in 20th, which was his first points earned on the World Cup circuit. 

The North Americans did not persevere through the challenges of the first run. With a few not qualifying for the second run and several getting thrown out of the course, the men from Canada and the United States did not have a second chance on the track.

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