austria.info:
Mr Obernauer, you were the race director of the Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbühel for nine years. It was a tremendous challenge, wasn’t it?
Peter Obernauer:
Yes, challenge is the right word for it: I was the race director for nine years and for 25 years it was my responsibility to organize sporting competitions on the race tracks! Preparing the pistes, security, technical details and structural reforms in all areas were part of my daily routine. And of course, direct cooperation with the directors of FIS.
austria.info:
The Hahnenkamm is considered to be the most difficult downhill track in the world. How has the Streif changed over the years?
Peter Obernauer:
What has changed over the years is the preparation in particular! In the 1970s, the era of Franz Klammer, the preparation was done by hand, the piste was a little bit more difficult and extremely bumpy. Today, machines are used to prepare the piste, which has made it significantly smoother. Although: Back then the top speed at the finish was over 150 kmh / 93 mph. Today it is around 140–145 kmh / 86–90 mph.
austria.info:
You once said: “You need great skill, great courage, and to be nuts”, to manage the Streif.
Peter Obernauer:
To go down the Streif at race pace, you really need to be a little nuts. Stephan Eberharter once told me that he was thinking, as he was standing at the start point for the very first time, “They are crazy, I am not going down!” Even Franz Klammer once said, “When you are sitting in the Hahnenkammbahn cable car knowing that in a few moments you will be standing up there, at the start, you do feel somewhat queasy. But the feeling you get when you draw to a stop at the finish is indescribable.”
austria.info:
What were the best moments in your career?
Peter Obernauer:
Clearly the victory of Stephan Eberharter in 2004 – and he won even though he started 30th! Another extremely touching moment was when Hermann Maier, after being heavily injured, won the Super-G in Kitzbühel. Big tears rolled from his eyes at that moment – coming from an athlete who had always been firm with himself and with others.
austria.info:
Where do you see the Streif in ten years?
Peter Obernauer:
The Hahnenkamm race will still be the figurehead of the World Cup, even in ten years! Kitzbühel is difficult, steep, extreme, and something special. It is completely different to all the other Ski World Cup runs.