State of Tyrol hosts reception during the 84th Hahnenkamm Races
In keeping with tradition, big names from the worlds of politics, business, security forces and sport gathered once again this year to celebrate the start of the Hahnenkamm Races.
Tyrol's Governor Anton Mattle hosted a reception organised by the state of Tyrol to mark the official start of the 84th Hahnenkamm Races, an event supported by Kitzbühel Ski Club and Ski Austria. Important personalities from the worlds of politics, business, security forces and sport gathered once again this year to kick off the sporting event. In addition to members of the Tyrolean state government and the Tyrolean state parliament, more than 100 invitees- including the President of Ski Austria Roswitha Stadlober and KSC President Michael Huber - attended the event at the "Goldene Gams" restaurant in the Old Town.
Governor Anton Mattle stated in his welcoming address: "Every year, the charisma and fascination of the Hahnenkamm Races in Kitzbühel can be felt not only during Race Weekend, but also in the days running up to the event. The Hahnenkamm Races are and have always been one of the annual highlights in the Tyrolean sporting calendar. One aspect, however, remains at the heart of everyone’s attention: sport. The fact that so many people are inspired by these outstanding sporting performances every year and get so emotionally involved shows us that we must not only continue to recognise sport as a unifying element, but above all, continue to promote its development – for Tyrol as the world’s number one sporting destination and sport as a lifestyle that is embodied by our people and our guests.
The Governor, as well as Sports Officer and Deputy Governor, Georg Dornauer, are convinced that such world-class sporting events are essential for Tyrol as a tourism and sporting destination: "The images from Kitzbühel are beamed around the world. Whether from the racecourse or in the finish area: they make the emotions and enthusiasm just as palpable for those watching from home. The joy that such an event can generate and the power with which it connects people - fuelled by the fascination of experiencing outstanding sporting performances - is invaluable for Tyrol as a location, not to mention the associated memories, images and encounters these create," said Georg Dornauer.
Photo © K.S.C./Franz Huber
