The thrill of Kitzbühel, a legendary downhill ski race, is palpable. This year, a 26-year-old racer, fresh off two intense training sessions, is ready to conquer the iconic Hahnenkamm.”When I train with the Germans, I ride it much more and it suits me quite well. The minutes are different, but I sit on it every day, you can tell by the regeneration,” he shared in an interview, reflecting on his readiness.
This season has already seen the racer shine, achieving an notable 11th place finish in beaver Creek. His sights are now set on Friday’s super-G and, of course, Saturday’s legendary downhill. Kitzbühel holds a special meaning for him, representing the final classic race missing from his resume. “Of the classics, Kitzbühel is the last race I’m missing from my collection, maybe Ga-pa, but that’s not that ofen on the World Cup calendar,” he explained.
Despite the race’s prestige,the racer’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. Last year, an injury sustained in Wengen forced him to miss Kitzbühel. However, he sees this year as the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills.”That’s true, but I believe this year is the right time for me to be as prepared as I coudl be.As there was no combined, there was no pressure to race and risk injury, when my priorities were in slalom and combined. Until last year,it was the first season when I had Kitzbühel planned,” he noted.
The racer approached the training sessions with a mix of respect and anticipation. “I had it before the first inspection of the track,when I was preparing for it to be worse.Of course, the slope is steep, but not so bouncy, which pleasantly surprised me,” he recalled. However, he acknowledges the challenges of the course, especially the demanding Steilhang section. ”By the second practice I had already gone more fully, some parts were to burnt, as the track was more broken. You need to drive more with yoru head at the top, it doesn’t matter if you are a few hundredths faster or slower there, as on Steilhang you can easily lose a second. But I enjoy the track, the jumps are splendid, only the middle passage after the Seidalmsprung is worse for me, as it is darker and broken, it is harder to see,” he added.
Kitzbühel’s allure extends beyond dedicated ski fans, drawing in spectators from diverse backgrounds. The racer,reflecting on his childhood,shared,”As a child,I played so many sports that I didn’t watch much…”
The legendary Kitzbühel downhill looms, and anticipation is thick in the air. Jan Zabystřan, a rising star in the world of alpine skiing, is preparing to tackle the notorious Streif course, widely regarded as one of the most challenging and demanding descents in the sport.
Zabystřan, a member of the German ski team, acknowledges the inherent dangers of Kitzbühel. “This is the ideal state not to let it go to your head,” he says, highlighting the constant awareness of risk that comes with the territory. Tragedy struck the team recently when fellow competitor Jacob Schramm suffered a knee injury during training, a stark reminder of the fragility of athletic endeavors. Zabystřan recalls, “It’s hard not to admit it when the helicopter is flying for someone close to you, with whom you sat at dinner the day before,” emphasizing the close-knit nature of the team and the emotional toll these incidents can take.This year’s Kitzbühel race promises to be a test of both physical and mental fortitude. Unlike the longer, more undulating slopes of Wengen, Zabystřan explains, “Here you have to be fully focused and go with your head for the first thirty seconds.” The relentless speed of the Streif demands unwavering concentration and precision.
Zabystřan, slated to start near number 33, understands the significance of start time. ”I would rather go with 15 for example,” he confesses, “mostly because the sun is gradually leaving and after the Hausbergkant you can’t see much of the broken track anymore.” Visibility becomes a critical factor as day turns to dusk, amplifying the challenges already inherent in navigating the treacherous course.
While acknowledging the inherent risks, Zabystřan remains focused on the race ahead. “He has to go thru it himself,” he maintains, highlighting the importance of personal experience and adaptation. Like any seasoned athlete, he relies on preparation, strategy, and a touch of daring, knowing that success on Kitzbühel’s storied slopes comes at a price.
Photo: Denis Balibouse,Reuters
