Linus Strasser Gets Kitz' Gondola
Linus Straßer secured home victory on the Ganslern Slope in January. “Home,” because this is where the Munich native learnt to ski. He has now been presented with his very own Hahnenkamm gondola. The slalom star, who lives in Kirchberg, was proud and visibly moved. “For me, winning on the Ganslern is a childhood dream come true.”
The 21st January 2024 in Kitzbühel turned out to be “the perfect day” in Linus Straßer’s life. It was the day when things came full circle for the 31-year-old German athlete, after finally triumphing in the Slalom on home territory on the Ganslern Slope in Kitzbühel. This is where he learnt to ski, where he feels most at home, where he has celebrated every Christmas and where he made a huge impression for the first time at the tender age of six!: Following a request from his dad, Georg, he was given the opportunity to race down the Ganslern Slope under the watchful eye of Mario Mittermayer-Weinhandl, former KSC children’s trainer and present Chief of Race at the Hahnenkamm Races. Little Linus performed so spectacularly, he was immediately invited to train with KSC and spent the next few years honing his skills on the Ganslern Slope. On Saturday, big Linus received his very own Hahnenkamm gondola in recognition of his World Cup victory in January – and hundreds of fans shared in his delight. These included his parents Georg and Sonja, his wife Maria and daughter Marta, former coach Mathias Berthold, his former team-mate Fritz Dopfer and a large delegation from TSV 1860 Munich, the team for whom Linus Straßer competes.
During the ceremony at Hahnenkamm cable car station, the slalom star (who lives in the neighbouring village of Kirchberg) recalled his early years at Kitzbühel Ski Club: “We used to meet here at 8.30 a.m. for training and always looked to see which gondola was coming: our favourites were those dedicated to Hermann Maier, Stephan Eberharter, Kjetil André Aamodt, Pirmin Zurbriggen and Toni Sailer. Of course, we dreamed of winning here one day and having a gondola named after ourselves, but I didn't believe for a long time that it would actually happen," Linus Straßer admitted openly - due to his "relatively poor" record on the Ganslern. He only had two 14th places to his name, before finishing fourth by the thinnest of margins in 2023: “When I came fourth, I suddenly dared to dream I could win a golden “Gams” trophy after all.” A mere twelve months later, his dream turned into reality. Proof of how much this (home) victory means to Linus Straßer was obvious in the moments just after the presentation ceremony at Hahnenkamm. In the few seconds before being approached by anyone or asked for an autograph or photo, he stood alone in front of his gondola and gazed at it with deep satisfaction.
Linus Strasser's former coach Mario Mittermayer-Weinhandl was equally thrilled by his success - both in January and now in July. The current Chief of Race at the Hahnenkamm Races vividly recalled the “start of a journey together” when he saw him on the Ganslern for the first time as a six-year-old: “What always set Linus apart from the rest was that he never complained. Not if he hadn’t seen his parents for two months, or had to start training at 6 a.m. before school,” Mario Mittermayer-Weinhandl said, before concluding with the words: “Linus, thank you for letting me accompany you. Thank you and your parents for putting your trust in me.”
In April, Linus Straßer was joined by his wife Maria and daughter Marta at Kitzbühel’s Legends Park, where Hahnenkamm winners are also immortalised. Upon discovering his name engraved on the commemorative plaque, he realised: “I’ve finally done it.” A few weeks later, he concluded with the words: “This incredible story I have shared with Kitzbühel Ski Club, the people here and Kitzbühel itself has come to the perfect conclusion with this ceremony,” alluding to the fact that a Hahnenkamm winner is only ever presented with a personalised gondola once. “Thank you to KSC and thank you to Kitzbühel for the open arms with which I have been welcomed. For me, winning on the Ganslern is a childhood dream come true.“ And who knows, perhaps an extra year will be added to his gondola information board in 2025?
