The Legendary Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm Downhill: What to Know and Who to Watch

Kitzbühel downhil awards ceremony 2024: GEPA pictures

Who’s Racing When and How to Watch

Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm Downhill: The Supwer Bowl of Races

The Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbühel, Austria, is the pinnacle of alpine ski racing. Drawing more than 60,000 fans each day, the Streif offers unparalleled drama and excitement. This year, the stakes are as high as ever, with the Swiss dominating the season standings and North Americans looking to make their mark in skiing racing history.

A Legendary Course

The Streif is widely regarded as the ultimate test of skill, courage, and endurance in alpine skiing. It pushes athletes to their physical and mental limits, testing high-speed gliding, technical precision, jump control, and adaptability to ever-changing terrain.

Some of the course’s intense, challenging sections are legendary—a true test of skill in the sport.

• Mausefalle (Mouse Trap): One of the most iconic features, this jump launches skiers into the air, sending them flying up to 80 meters. It comes just seconds after the start and demands perfect balance and fearless execution.
• Steilhang (Steep Slope): A steep and icy pitch that tests racers’ edge control and ability to maintain speed through a high-pressure corner.
• Hausbergkante (Mountain House Edge): Racers must handle a compression into a flat, high-speed glide, followed immediately by a challenging left turn into the Hausberg Querfahrt (Mountain House Traverse), a crucial traverse that requires courage, commitment and line choice.
• Zielschuss (Finish Schuss): A final sprint to the finish, where speeds exceed 140 km/h.
• Zielsprung (Finish Jump): The last jump, where racers must maintain composure and technique to cross the line cleanly at maximum speed.

Last Season’s Highlights

Last year, the Hahnenkamm delivered two thrilling downhill races on the Streif, showcasing spectacular performances with thrilling results.

• Race 1: France’s Cyprien Sarrazin claimed victory in the first downhill, with Florian Schieder of Italy finishing second and Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt rounding out the podium in third. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team saw Ryan Cochran-Siegle narrowly miss the podium in fourth, while Sam Morse placed 19th, and Bryce Bennett finished 25th. Canada’s James Crawford was 23rd, and Jeffrey Read secured 27th.
• Race 2: The second downhill saw an even faster track, but Sarrazin triumphed once again, becoming the first man to win back-to-back Kitzbühel downhills since Didier Cuche. Odermatt moved up to second place, and Italy’s Dominik Paris took third. For North Americans, Cochran-Siegle finished 16th and Morse 17th. Alpine Canada Alpin had three athletes in the top 30: Cameron Alexander (24th), Crawford (27th), and Brodie Seger (28th).

Unfortunately, last season’s Hahnenkamm champion, Sarrazin, suffered a severe head injury in Bormio earlier this season and will not compete in Kitzbühel this year.

Podium Winners This Season

The 2024-25 season has been dominated by the Swiss team, who have claimed the top two spots in every downhill race so far. Other nations, however, have also secured podium finishes, showcasing a strong competitive field.

Analysis of the Top 15

The top 15 standings reflect Switzerland’s dominance, with six athletes among the elite, including the top three. Other nations, such as Slovenia, Canada, and the U.S. also feature prominently, with a strong mix of talent from across the globe. Here’s the breakdown by nation:

• Switzerland (6 athletes): Marco Odermatt (1st), Franjo Von Allmen (2nd), Justin Murisier (3rd), Alexis Monney (7th), Stefan Rogentin (12th), and Lars Rösti (15th).
• Slovenia (1 athlete): Miha Hrobat (4th), earning two podiums this season.
• Canada (2 athletes): Cameron Alexander (5th) and James Crawford (10th, tied).
• France (1 athlete): Nils Allègre (6th), showing consistent performances.
• Italy (2 athletes): Mattia Casse (10th, tied) and Dominik Paris (14th).
• United States (2 athletes): Bryce Bennett (8th) and Ryan Cochran-Siegle (9th), both contributing.
• Austria (1 athlete): Vincent Kriechmayr (13th), sidelined by injury but still among the elite.

Current 2024-25 Men’s World Cup Top 15 Downhill Ranking

Key Insights

Switzerland dominates the standings with nearly half of the top 15. Slovenia’s Miha Hrobat and Canada’s Cameron Alexander highlight the growing competitiveness outside traditional powerhouses. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Canada each have two athletes in the top 15, signaling North America’s upward momentum. Austria and Italy are underrepresented compared to their historical standards, with only one and two athletes, respectively.

Fifty-five racers from 14 countries will compete in the Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm on the Streif.

North American Success on the Streif

The Streif in Kitzbühel, Austria, is among the most prestigious and challenging courses in alpine ski racing. Victories here are legendary, and triumphs have been rare but historic for North Americans. Only four North American men have conquered the legendary downhill in the modern World Cup era.

Ken Read (CAN)

A founding member of the “Crazy Canucks,” Read made history in 1980 as the first North American to win the Hahnenkamm downhill. His groundbreaking victory shattered European dominance and established Canada as a powerhouse in alpine racing. Today, his sons Jeffrey and Erik continue the family legacy, competing on the World Cup circuit.

Steve Podborski (CAN)

Another member of the “Crazy Canucks,” Podborski secured back-to-back victories in 1981 and 1982. His triumphs on the Streif remain a testament to his skill and fearlessness, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest Canadian downhillers.

Todd Brooker (CAN)

Canada’s dominance on the Streif extended into 1983, when Todd Brooker claimed victory. Known for his aggressive style and unwavering bravery, Brooker embodied the grit and determination required to master this infamous course.

Daron Rahlves (USA)

The lone American to win the Kitzbühel downhill, Rahlves triumphed in 2003. However, his victory came on a shortened course due to weather conditions, with a winning time of 1:09.63. While it wasn’t a full-length race, his accomplishment remains a landmark moment in U.S. ski racing history.

Notable North American Performances

Although he never won, Bode Miller, one of the greatest American skiers, achieved three podiums in Kitzbühel downhill races, finishing second twice. His bold skiing style brought him close to victory but not quite to the top of the podium in the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill.

Swiss racing legend Didier Cuche remains the undisputed king of the Streif, winning the Kitzbühel downhill five times. His extraordinary success was supported by U.S. HEAD ski serviceman Chris Krause, who now works with Lindsey Vonn. Cuche’s mastery of the course and Krause’s expert tuning became an unsurpassed winning formula.

These victories and podiums are iconic milestones in alpine skiing. As this year’s North American contenders prepare to tackle the Streif, they aim to add their names to this exclusive list of champions. Could this be the year another North American name is etched into the annals of ski racing history?

North American 2025 Contenders

C. Alexander (CAN) leads the North American charge, sitting in fifth place after a podium in Bormio and three top-ten finishes. Bennett (USA), ranked eighth, has shown consistency with three sixth-place results, while Cochran-Siegle (USA), ranked ninth, adds a podium in Val Gardena to his achievements.

Alpine Canada Alpin’s Crawford (CAN) is tied for tenth in the standings and continues to deliver steady results. Seger (CAN), ranked 17th, has shown promise, contributing to Canada’s strong presence this season. Morse (USA), currently 31st, gained momentum with a 15th-place finish in Wengen and looks to build on that result. Goldberg (USA), ranked 40th, is aiming for a breakout downhill race to match his super-G podium in Val Gardena and hopes to make his mark on the Streif.

Erik Arvidsson (USA), ranked 45th with 8 points, is out for the season due to a knee injury but was showing potential earlier in the year. Other North Americans, including Jeffrey Read (CAN), Kyle Negomir (USA), and independent racer Wiley Maple (USA), are yet to score downhill points but aim to make their mark on the Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm Streif.

North Americans on the DH World Cup Start List (WCSL)

It is distinct from the current season standings

What to Watch For

With Vincent Kriechmayr sidelined, the Austrians face a challenge on their home turf. Marco Odermatt seeks his first Kitzbühel victory, while Miha Hrobat aims for another podium.

For North Americans, Cameron Alexander leads the charge as the highest-ranked contender. Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who excels on technical downhills, and Jack Crawford, Canada’s top downhill racer, are also strong podium threats. Bryce Bennett, a past World Cup winner, looks to make his mark on the Streif. With its unpredictable nature, the race promises surprises and drama.

The Hahnenkamm downhill is more than just a race—it is a battleground where skill, courage, and composure are tested unlike anywhere else. From the soaring Mausefalle (Mouse Trap) to the tricky Hausberg Querfahrt (Mountain House Traverse) and the exhilarating Zielsprung (Finish Jump), every section of the Streif pushes racers to their limits.

Swiss athletes lead the pack, but North Americans are ready to challenge. With local Austrians motivated to defend their course, this year’s Kitzbühel promises unforgettable moments and perhaps new names etched in history.

North American Men Racing the Downhill

• Bib 13, Cameron Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
• Bib 14, Bryce Bennett, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe
• Bib 15, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Stifel USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Academy, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD
• Bib 20, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
• Bib 27, Jared Goldberg, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation
• Bib 28, Brodie Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
• Bib 29, Sam Morse, Stifel USST, Carrabassett Valley Academy, TOKO
• Bib 31, Jeffrey Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic
• Bib 35, Kyle Negomir, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic
• Bib 37, Wiley Maple, USA Independent, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, SYNC, Atomic, Oakley

How and When to Watch

The first run kicks off 5:30 a.m. Eastern and 2:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

U.S. audiences can catch the race live or replay on Peacock and live on NBC.

There is also a Tape Delay show on NBC at 12:30 p.m. Eastern and 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.

Daily Program and Start List

Click the images to enlarge or download.

Start List