Rahlves Reflects on Kitzbuhel
To the run. I felt good speed out of the start and through the middle.
Willi had my Atomics rolling. Into Hausberg I hit the line and ripped the turn going into the side hill traverse. I stuck the line and felt fast. This is where you make lots of speed or blow it. The light was dark and the hill was rough. I went for an early bully and then hit a bump which felt like slamming into a street curb. Instantly it sent me into a star fish position. Bad place for that. I pulled it back in and tried to take all the speed I had into the finish. Crossing the finish line all I wanted to see was the board. I started #26 and when I saw #1 I knew it was a good one.
It wasn't over yet. There still were a few strong skiers to come and I had to wait it out. It was interesting waiting for the four skiers, all Austrians, to take their shot and try to take me down. It all came down to Eberharter who started 30th. He came across the line and landed in 4th. The massive Austrian crowd went silent. heir hero didn't win. That was a big moment for me and a huge relief.
Willi my technician had to walk all the way down from the start because he didn't have his skis with him. From the top start you take a gondola right there and then download afterwards. But since the start was moved down he had to walk. It was a long one with plenty of time spent on his butt
doing the close to death slide packing it into safety fences. He didn't care though. His boy had just won the Buhel. Right by his side was Pete, AKA
Baby Huey our buddy from Truckee. Huey was also at the start in Wengen when I was 2nd and 8th. They both finally made it to the finish in a steaming sweaty mess and teary eyes. Ha,ha,ha Willi, Rudi (from Atomic) and I all hugged and tears started flowing. It was an emotional day for many. All my coaches were hooting it up. Per, Brigham, Johno, Pedro, Phil, and Izzy.
Bob Beattie was very emotional in the finish. He founded the world cup and has been at the Hahnenkamm race there since the beginning. Every year since 1964 I think. He knows what this one is all about. My sister Shannon, friends Buck, Hitcher, Jamy, LP, Betsy, Dooley, Elizabeth, Greg Murtha, Mike, Pino....kids from GMVS, the rest of the USST crew and other Americans were
all going off. There was a huge Sugar Bowl Banner in the finish that Murtha brought and plenty of USA flags to wave in the air.