Streif

The Streif is a World Cup downhill ski course on Hahnenkamm mountain in Kitzbühel, Tyrol. It runs over natural terrain with minor changes made over time. The course sits beside the Ganslern slalom course and has hosted the Hahnenkamm Races since 1937. It is the most visited ski event each year, drawing 50,000 spectators. Many famous figures have attended, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. The course has seen adjustments to its start and sections due to weather and safety concerns. The Streif is famous for its steep and technical sections, such as the Mausefalle, which has a 40.4-degree incline. Skiers reach speeds of 120 km/h after jumping this section. The Karussell demands high-speed turns with centrifugal forces of 3.1 g. The Hausbergkante is a key part where skiers jump over a 35-degree incline before a sharp left turn. The Zielschuss allows speeds over 145 km/h, with the record set at 153 km/h. The Rasmusleitn jump before the finish has caused many severe falls. Visitors to the Streif can see the start at 1,665 metres above sea level. The course descends 860 metres to the finish at 805 metres. Sections like the Steilhang and Alte Schneise challenge skiers with steep and technical terrain. The Seidlalmsprung jump, introduced in 1994, sits near the midpoint. The Traverse features rough, bumpy ice that defies gravity. The finish area includes the Zielsprung jump, where races often conclude at high speeds.