The Downhill 2016 - Weißer Ring, Lech (AUT)
The Downhill 2016
January 16, 2016, Lech am Arlberg (AUT)
22 kilometres on the steep runs around Lech am Arlberg, 5,500 metres in altitude and 1,000 participants: once a year, “The White Ring Race” („Weiße Ring-Rennen“) is the touchstone for all ambitious skiers. In 2016, due to heavy weather conditions, the race had to be shortened, but it was still a challenge for all the athletes - even this race had to be stopped halfway through due to ongoing heavy snowfall - it was decided to crown the fastest time until then as the winning time.
Usually, a lot of VIPs are among the participants, including skiers as Josef Strobl (AUT), former cycling star Jan Ullrich (GER), Patrick Ortlieb (AUT), former German national team goalie Jens Lehmann (GER), Susanne Riesch (GER) and Katharina Gutensohn (AUT). The list of former winners includes the likes of 1992 Olympic downhill champion and 1996 world downhill champion, Patrick Ortlieb (AUT), as well as multiple world cup race winner, Josef Strobl (AUT).