The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup tour carves into Kitzbuhel, Austria for the legendary Hahnenkamm races. 

Hosted annually since 1931, Hahnenkamm boasts a downhill event that takes place on what widely is considered to be the steepest, iciest and most terrifying course in the world: the Streif. It contains an 85% gradient, or 40-degree angle, at the “Mausefalle” (“mouse trap”) section. 

Legend has it that over the years, some racers have gotten so terrified at the starting gate they decided not to go through with the run.

“[The course] is super scary,” said American speed skier Bryce Bennett. “You never get comfortable, and I don’t think you should get comfortable. If you don’t have it on race day here and you go for it, it could be bad.”

Its frightening, unforgiving nature is what makes winning there so prestigious. 

Marco Odermatt (SUI), Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA), Dominik Paris (ITA) and Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) all are expected to brave the super-G and downhill.

On Sunday, Atle Lie McGrath (NOR), Paco Rassat (FRA) and more of top slalom racers will hit Ganslernhang, the course adjacent to the Streif.

The weekend's events will simulcast live on Peacock and NBC Sports Network. 

A little over two weeks away from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, these are the storylines to keep an eye on heading into World Cup action.

*Delayed broadcast

Will anyone separate themselves from the slalom pack?

The men's slalom standings are tighter than a hairpin turn.

In terms of World Cup points, the top-five athletes are separated by 42 points. For context, Odermatt is at least 94 points ahead of the second-place skier in each of the downhill, super-G and giant slalom categories.

McGrath, the man sitting atop the slalom leaderboard, has collected a pair of Cup wins this season and same goes for Rassat (4th). Meanwhile, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) (2nd) hasn’t placed outside of 5th since before Christmas and Clement Noel (FRA) (3rd) is the defending Olympic gold medalist in the discipline.

Of course, there also are sleeping giants like Loic Meillard (SUI), the reigning slalom world champion, still searching for his top form, as well as Eduard Hallberg of Finland, who seemingly has come out of nowhere to put together three podiums and four top fives.

Another victory for McGrath in the penultimate slalom race before the Winter Olympics might give him the slight edge heading into Milan Cortina. Still, there are about 20 men that seriously could contend for a medal, which isn't something that really can be said about any other event.

Which American racer is in most need of a strong result?

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced the Alpine skiing roster that will represent the country at the 2026 Winter Games. Five of Team USA’s members — Cochran-Siegle, Bennett, River Radamus, Kyle Negomir and Sam Morse — are expected to start the speed races in Kitzbuhel.

Of the group, Negomir is the youngest (27) and has the fewest World Cup appearances (61). He’ll also be a first-time Olympian. 

The stage in Milan Cortina is bigger and brighter than any other he’s competed on, but if “Nego” manages to finish top 15 or top 20 on the most dangerous Cup course on the planet (The Streif), it should instill the confidence that no matter the piste or the opponent, he belongs, and more than that, is capable of finding success.

Who is the most appropriate non-Alpine skiing athlete comparison for Marco Odermatt?

Odermatt will attempt to collect a career accolade that has proven elusive, even to a man that’s seemingly done it all: win a downhill race at the treacherous Streif course.

A triumph would add to a growing and already unassailable legacy marked by numbers that continue to go up and up (and up some more) like a ski lift in Kitzbuhel.

It’s difficult to compare Odi to any of his peers, especially on the men’s side, because quantifiably, he’s head and shoulders above the rest. Perhaps the “Swissblade’s” greatness is most effectively contextualized by seeing who he resembles across the athletic isle. Let’s give it a whirl.

In a sport that encourages specialization, Odermatt excels in both speed and technical disciplines, making him a sure-fire favorite in the downhill, super-G and giant slalom races at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He’s Alpine’s version of Shohei Ohtani, a 1-of-1 athlete who dominates on the pitcher’s mound and at the plate.

"Odi" exhibits shades of Nikola Jokic and vice versa. The duo are machine-like in their consistently superior statistical output. Jokic is a three-time NBA MVP and a walking triple-double. Meanwhile, the "Swissblade" holds 52 World Cup victories, and over the past four years, has snagged an Olympic gold medal, is a world champion three times over and is in the midst of a historic four consecutive Crystal Globe winning streak. 

They also both make their teammates better, Jokic in the assist category and Odermatt as a mentor to his younger Swiss teammates.

The prowess of Patrick Mahomes is layered, much like Odermatt’s. Their IQ, leadership, ability to perform under pressure, dynamic play and knack for finding a way to win even in the least favorable surrounding conditions put them in a class of his own.

Think about Ohtani, Jokic or Mahomes as you watch Odermatt navigate a Cup course that instills fear in even the world's best. He may be ready to finally conquer it.