Average Skiers Attempt The World's Hardest Downhill Course

Ella Boyd
·1 min read
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Half the beauty of pro skiers is that they make things look way too easy. Things that you know cannot possibly be easy, and yet, something in the back of your mind tells you: I could do that!

Four years ago, a group of skiers not only thought they could maybe do the Streif (one of the most challenging downhill courses in the world), but they actually put it to the test, launching out from the start gate to face disastrous results.

"A few hours after the Hahnenkamm downhill race, amateurs have a go!"

It is interesting how difficult things look when people attempt them with zero training. It just highlights how much time and effort being a pro skier actually takes. It's not all globe-trotting, free champagne, and gold medal victories, people!

The pro this year who did get the champagne and gold medal was France’s Cyprien Sarrazin (his second career World Cup downhill win). In second place was the Italian Florian Scheider, and in third, was Switzerland's Marco Odermatt.

The USA saw two athletes finish in the top 20, with Ryan Cochran-Siegle in 16th, and Sam Morse in 17th. Congratulations to both of them!

Would you attempt the Streif? I'd give it a shot, but nowhere near as high-octane as these racers push it.

Look at the power through that outer leg. Look at that angle. Look how low his inside hip is to the ground.

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A post shared by Cyprien Sarrazin (@cyprien_sarrazin)

I don't even want to imagine what the snowpack was like, with all the crashes.

At that speed, not even pure, fluffy powder will save you!

Related: Lake Tahoe Hit With The "Biggest Storm Of The Season"

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