its unifying effect on everyone who comes here," concludes Gunnell.
"Whether you're competing or watching, skiers from all over the
world and thousands of fans from hundreds of countries come here,
with flags waving. I guess you could say it's a similar atmosphere to
the World Cup football, but all of that packed into three days."
back to the middles ages, this beautiful historic town with its colourfully
painted Tyrolean houses is surrounded by picturesque mountain landscapes
and numerous ski resorts. The Hahnenkamm Race in Kitzbühel is often
compared to the Formula One Grand Prix race in Monte Carlo; an
international ski event of a higher, more exclusive standard. It is one of the
sport's highest honours to compete in and win these races, and to visit here
as a guest is a truly spectacular experience.
"The Hahnenkamm Race is the biggest sports spectacle in all of Austria,
because there are so many ski fans here," says Nina Gunnell, who runs The
Londoner English pub in Kitzbühel, 'party-central' when it comes to the
Hahnenkamm weekend. "And it's all those fans that make the event such a
massive party!"
First opened in 1976, The Londoner is just one of the more than 30
pubs and clubs which come alive during the race weekend in Kitzbühel. The
best hotspots for a refreshing beer include Flannigan's Irish pub, Stamperl
and the Belluna Bar.
While opening its doors for eighteen hours a day the entire weekend,
the best time to experience the Londoner is on the Saturday night, when,
according to a 31-year-old tradition, the downhill champion skiers jump
behind the bar, remove their shirts and tap beer for the guests. "The
tradition started when three times Hahnenkamm winner Franz Klammer
came to the Londoner to celebrate his downhill victory in 1976," Gunnell
says, a story she tells with much enthusiasm. "He just took off his shirt and
got behind the bar. The competitors spread the word and before you knew
it, everyone wanted in on the action. Now everyone does it, the Canadians,
the Americans, the Swiss. It's an amazing sight."
Famous for its world-class hospitality, Kitzbühel graciously welcomes
thousands of visitors to the town during the weekend. More than just an
Alpine Ski World Cup event, the Hahnenkamm Race is something magically
Austrian. While the athletes showcase the best the skiing world has to offer,
there is that deep passion uniting the fans in a moment of enjoyment and
celebration. "I think the most important aspect of the Hahnenkamm Race is
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