Gondola Award for two downhill heroes
Aug 15, 2022·Alpine Skiing
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) was once again honoured for his triumph on the Streif with the presentation of his dedicated Hahnenkammbahn gondolas on Saturday, 13th August in Kitzbühel. He brought almost his entire family along to Kitzbühel – from mum to granddad.
Being here in summer suited him perfectly: “Less stress, no nervousness, beautiful weather and the same friendly people,” he said, heaping praise on Kitzbühel. As nervous as he may be in winter, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has amply demonstrated that the cold season suits him perfectly too, finishing in the top 10 no less than 7 times to date and achieving his first Downhill victory on 21st January 2022: “This was a great day for me, because winning here was always a personal goal. I can now relive this success all over again, thanks to being awarded with my very own gondola.”
His secret to success? “If only I knew! Then I would have won more often.”
Bergbahn Kitzbühel AG Cable Car Co. executive board member, Anton Bodner, expressed great respect for Aleksander AamodtKilde: “We admire you not only for your skiing prowess, but also as a person. You are a role model for young people. I wish you many more feelings of joy like you experienced during your first Kitzbühel victory – and not only from a sporting perspective.”
Fritz Strobl (AUT), the man with the fastest time ever on the Streif, was also there on Saturday to get his gondola, 25 years after his victory.
It was not a question of Fritz Strobl having to wait 25 years for his gondola - on the contrary. The two-time Downhill winner (1997 and 2000) has often ridden up the Hahnenkamm in his cabin. It was just the ceremonial handover that hadn’t worked out until now – a few days before his 50th birthday: “Today was a huge surprise for me, which my wife Bettina planned together with the cable car operators and Ski Club. I am very touched and proud, even 25 years on after my first victory here.”
One factor concerning Fritz Strobl, however, seems to be set in stone: His winning time from 1997 (1:51,58) remains unrivalled to this day.
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