Alpine skiing: ready for a big spectacle

There has been almost no striking rainfall since the turn of the year, only last weekend it snowed longer. Although Mittermayer-Weinhandl emphasized that natural snow was wanted, it was an advantage for the organization of the races if one could work with artificial snow in sufficient capacities. This is the case thanks to the Kitzbüheler Bergbahnen, which started producing snow in early November.

“This year it was a good fit from the start,” said Mittermayer-Weinhandl. The underlay consists of “90 to 95 percent” of machine-made snow. “Because we were able to work with artificial snow right from the start, we were able to pull it through very evenly. You can get it from the surface more evenly. “

Slope compact but icy

The Streif, on which the first training for the departure on Saturday is scheduled for Wednesday, is therefore almost ready to race, the next few days are all about little things. “The amount of fresh snow at the weekend was even helpful. We needed them to fill up various holes. “

The slope, which was also treated with water, is very compact, but no less icy than usual. This should remain the case until the weekend, even if daytime temperatures are clearly expected to be in the plus range. “It will still be in a good shape,” said the race director, referring to the sufficiently cold nights.

“Because most of the slope faces north, the route is in the shade for a long time. The only place that is more exposed to the sun is the Hausbergkante or the jump below and the compression. “Only there it could be” that the sun has a bit of an impact on the snow. “At most, a bigger problem could be massive blow-in, “but it has not been announced”.

Light snowfall possible on Saturday

The meteorologists also see it that way. Sunny, cloudless high-pressure weather is forecast for Friday and Sunday, said Alexander Radlherr of the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) in Innsbruck. The Saturday with the descent does not look so good, there could be light snowfall.

Some fog and some clouds around the classic Streif are also expected. “There will be a weak front passage,” said Radlherr. During the week, however, picture book weather will prevail in Kitzbühel: Throughout the day, with lots of sunshine, the forecast says.

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