LIVING MOMENTS N° 7

31 KITZBUEHEL I ON THE TRAIL OF A LEGEND FRANZ REISCH – ON THE TRAIL OF A LEGEND Franz Reisch - a name you can’t get past if you reminisce on the history of the legendary “Gamsstadt”. It was he who conquered the “Streif” as the first person on skis and who, as mayor, established the internation- al reputation and popularity of this beautiful region today. When the businessman Franz Reisch, originally from Kufstein, discovered skiing for himself for the first time in 1892, the local residents were amazed: “Now he has become completely foolish, the Reisch boy” was the general feeling in the local residents. However, he did not only enjoy skiing himself, he also recognised the enormous potential for winter sports in Kitzbuehel. With ambition, daring and drive, Franz Reisch succeeded in building theHorn- weg on the Kitzbüheler Horn , as well as promoting the construction of the Grand Hotel in 1902, building the first large ski jump on the Schattberg, and the first mud bath at the Schwarzsee. In January, at the 100th year anni- versary of his death, his great-grand- daughter Anke Reisch presented the fascinating autobiography “Franz Reisch - The Legend of Kitzbuehel” in his honour; and on the day of his death, his great-granddaughter Signe Reisch unveiled a wayside shrine for the ski pioneer. Exactly on the spot where he died on 6 th January 1920, on a ski expedition. However, with Franz Reisch, not only skiing history did begin, but the racing history of Kitzbuehel as well. The first races on the Hahnenkamm were held in the winter of 1894/95, over 30 years before the first official “Hahnenkamm race” in 1931. 22 participants - all men - registered for the first competition for the Tyrolean Championship in 1905. Johann Wallner was the fastest at 57.5 minutes. At that time there were no lifts and the ascent was also included. These races may be described as the forerunners of the world-famous Hah- nenkamm race. It is a spe- cial class ski event that has impressed millions of au- diences worldwide year after year since then. „Schneeschuhe“, erste Ski von Franz Reisch “Snow shoes”, Franz Reisch’s first skis Franz Reisch und Freunde bei Markierungsarbeiten für ein Rennen I Franz Reisch and friends marking out the track for a race Fotos: „Schirennen“ von Josef Herold / Kitzbüheler Fotohaus Lazzari, Josef Herold/ Stadtarchiv Kitzbühel, Privatarchiv Familie Reisch 1894/1895 Schirennen am Hahnenkamm I Ski race on the Hahnenkamm