Kitzbühel’s Hahnenkamm Races held behind closed doors

21st January 2021, by Dave Watts

No crowds at the bottom of the Hahnenkamm this year (Pic Michael Werlberger)

Last week’s famous Lauberhorn downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland, was cancelled because of a serious Covid-19 outbreak in the resort (thought to have been triggered by a Brit who was there over Christmas).

That will now be held this Friday 22 January on the equally famous Hahnenkamm downhill race course in Kitzbühel in Austria. And the official Hahnenkamm downhill race will be held on the same course on the Saturday.

But instead of the usual 50,000 or so rowdy and partying spectators and bands, there will be only the racers, their back-up staff and officials. And restaurants and bars are closed except for take-aways, with hotels being open to the race entourage and essential business travellers only.

The best way to watch the races will be via Eurosport TV coverage and BBC’s Ski Sunday – this year without presenter and former GB downhill racer Graham Bell because he is appearing on ITV’s Dancing on Ice programme (good luck Graham!).

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