“The pants were full”: Even all-time ski stars are afraid of the Streif
We present the best statements from the Kitzbühel Streif drivers.
19.01.2022
The descent from Kitzbühel is considered the most dangerous in the world. And she is also highly emotional. At the start the fear is great, even among top riders, but at the finish line the relief is palpable. This year will be no different.
Sayings about the dangerous Kitzbühel downhill run are no longer appropriate, at least since the serious falls of Daniel Albrecht (2009), Hans Grugger (2011) and Urs Kryenbühl (2021). Even today, some ski racers still can’t help themselves – it’s probably their way of dealing with fear.
Here are the best strip sayings:
«When I was here at the start for the first time, I seriously considered taking the gondola back down to the valley. I had my pants full.»
Didier Cuche, Streif record winner (5 victories in the downhill)
Bild:
Getty
«This is how you must feel when you jump out of a plane without a parachute.»
Marc Girardelli, three-time Kitzbühel winner in the station wagon (1989, 1991 and 1995)
«The physiotherapist slaps your butt and shouts: ‘Great slope, full throttle!’ And you think to yourself: ‘Shut up, you don’t have to go down.’»
Marco Büchel, Super-G winner in Kitzbühel 2008
«Is this supposed to be the hardest descent in the world? It actually goes uphill twice.»
Hermann Maier, downhill winner (2001) and five-time super-G champion
«I shit my pants at the start. And at the finish I had a feeling like I was having an orgasm. »
Hannes Reichelt, Streif winner 2014
«If any of the newbies dare to show off their sticks three times at the start, I’ll pay them a beer.»
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Daniel Mahrer, Streif winner 1989
Bild:
Keystone
«I definitely had feelings of fear of death.»
Stephan Eberharter, Streif winner in 2002 and 2004
«This route is actually not for family men. »
Michael Walchhofer, Streif winner 2006
«When I was a junior, I said: ‘I want to go down there one day.’ Then I was in the starting house for the first time, my pants were full and I was just scared.” «Drive on the patrol again? I don’t have a bird.»
Franz Klemm, four-time Streif winner
Bild:
Keystone
«The best thing about my Kitzbühel weekend is that I’m still alive.»
Julien Lizeroux, slalom specialist on the wrong track
«It’s pretty good up to the local mountain, then you just have to take your balls out.»
Dominik Paris, Streif winner 2013, 2017 and 2019
«At the Olympics there can also be a random winner, at the Streif the best always win.»
Aksel Lund Svindal (could never win the Streif downhill)
Bild:
Keystone
