The legendary Hanenkamm lived up to it’s reputation as one of the roughest, toughest and most unforgiving race venues. The Austrian army prepares much of the steeps by hand with lots of water and boot packing so it ends up looking more like a lunar surface than a race course. On top of this the natural terrain is extreme. Add a few cold nights, some chemicals and you end up with a terrifying collection of near vertical walls, huge jumps, rattley turns, fall aways and straights that these studs actually race down. I have been here a lot of times and every time I return it is eye opening and awe inspiring.

The weather was warm and even rainy at times as we worked through the training runs. The last training run was canceled to protect the venue due to warm weather and heavy, wet snow — and even rain.

On super-G race day Bode chose to race on a stiffer ski which has worked better in rough conditions. He skied the top section well all the way through the siedelalm but got jacked on a bump entering the larchenshuss which is a critical left footer at the top of a pitch before a long flat section. He was pushed really deep and barely made the next gate. Once again a sweet recovery but he lost a lot of speed heading for the flats.

Bode smoked the bottom but the mistake was enough to push him back to 12th.

He skied hard and laid it on the line but perhaps took too much risk on that particular turn trimming the line. The bump that high sided him was hardly an issue for anyone else but I believe they skied a higher line mostly missing the bump.

Downhill race day and the rain has just stopped after pouring all night long in town. I was highly suspicious that we would even get a race off. The rain in town was actually fairly dry snow up top but the conditions were much different than the first training day. They decided to add PTX fertilizer to the snow to lock it up and it worked remarkably well. The track was better than expected and really rough.

Scott Macartney started number 2 and skied really well. He was charging like he meant business and was surely heading for a strong result when he got twisted off the last jump and beat it in fiercely at 90 mph. It was one of those crashes that winds your guts up in knots and makes you feel ill.

He hit his head so hard his helmet exploded into pieces and he was rag-dolling down the hill unconsciously. It was awful and there was an eerie silence as everyone preyed he would move or do something to show he was ok.

He did not move for a long time and I can only imagine there could not be a worse visual for all the racers at the start watching the monitors preparing to slide into the start gate. Luckily, Scott is doing well and will be getting out of the hospital soon. He had a major concussion a lot of bruising and lost a lot of skin off his face while he slid to stop but everyone is very encouraged. I spoke to him on the phone a few times and he is already talking about his next race.

Hats off to Marco Sullivan who ran a few guys after Scott and put down a really solid run earning him a sixth place on the famous streif. Right on Sparky. Bode ran number 19. Mario Shieber ran fairly early and held the lead for a long time. Bode skied well on the top but had a couple of bobbles in the Carousel turn which cost him a little. He kept scrambling and put 2 great turns together on the Steilhung. He was ripping through the exit just before the long road when he unexpectedly flew off an unseen roll.

He landed right next to the net but angling towards it. In an incredible athletic response and cat like reaction he skied up on the net which is 90 degrees to the snow. At first he had just one ski on the nets but the added friction was twisting him so skied up on to the net with his other ski until he regained his balance and then jumped back on to the snow. I have seen Showtime make a lot of remarkable recoveries … this was one of them.

Bode entered the road 7 kilometers per hour slower than the fastest guys.

As he worked his way down the course he started finding his groove and kept charging. He was well off the mark at the next intermediate but was gaining as he got closer to the finish. He nailed the line in the larchenshuss and carried good speed on to the flats above the Hausberg jump. The bottom of kitzbuhel is radical with huge bumps on a steep side hill traverse. It takes some serious stones to chuck yourself through this section. Bode entered the jump .55 seconds behind but charged the bottom like I have never seen him ski this section. He won the split and tied Mario for the lead.

Didier Cuche skied a very good run and it was enough to beat the duo by .27 seconds.

I had a feeling Bode was going to win but all things considered it was a great result for the mistake and acrobatics he pulled off, especially since he could have easily beat it in. We went and checked out the net and saw the 30 foot burn marks where his skis melted the slip screen. Cool.

Slalom race day: Bode had 1.5 seconds over Benni so I knew if he put two solid runs together the combined could be his. The first course had a lot of swing and was not particularly fast. Bode skied solidly but had a few sections where he was a bit grindy. Benni skied conservatively and was only .1 ahead of Bode. The second run set was faster but had some rhythm changes on terrain features. It deteriorated quickly with the warm temperatures.

Bode was starting 16th after the first run. He got jacked around a few times on break overs but all in all skied solidly and did what he had to do to win the combined.

Wow … today he broke Phil Mahre’s record of 27 wins. I have been present for almost all of his wins and I know how fine the line is between victory and disaster. I have seen Bode fired up for wins and sometimes even casual depending on how he personally performed but a win is a win, even when you do not perform to your best. I am super proud of him and looking forward to what is coming. He is skiing faster than anyone. We just need to minimize tactical and technical mistakes and he will be a threat on any given day. Bode is strong, healthy and working hard. SL is getting better and the search for skis is getting closer. IT IS ON so stay tuned and think fast.

Johno

PS: Pics are of DH podium, Combined champ, Johno in Kitzbuhel mascot chicken suit with Bode and a few pics of the 50,000 enjoying the awards ceremony the night after the DH.

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