Max Perathoner at the World Cup in Kitzbühel. © Marco Trovati/Pentaphoto

“A year of firsts”: On the Streif with Max Perathoner

For Max Perathoner, a dream came true last weekend in Kitzbühel. SportNews accompanied the Val Gardena native on his unique adventure on the Streif.

26 January 2026

From Kitzbühel

If one had to choose a single highlight in Max Perathoner's sporting life over the past twelve months, the choice would be difficult. "It feels like a year of firsts," the Wolkenstein native said in an interview with... SportNews with a smile. There was, for example, his debut victory in the European Cup, his downhill debut in the World Cup in Val Gardena, and his first World Cup points. "And now I'm in Kitzbühel for the first time," Perathoner added. "Results aside: For me, it's been a perfect season."

The Streif makes hearts beat faster: on TV, in the stands – and especially as an athlete. "I was incredibly nervous during the inspection. I looked down and thought to myself: Phew, it doesn't look that steep on TV," Perathoner admitted. But the 23-year-old wouldn't have fought his way to the World Cup if his comfort zone didn't begin precisely where others tremble with awe.

Only Val Gardena was more beautiful than Kitzbühel

During training runs on Tuesday (63rd) and Wednesday (54th), the Val Gardena native logged his first meters on the Streif. "Ever since I crossed the finish line for the first time, I've had a grin from ear to ear," said Perathoner, who celebrated his birthday two days before his Streif debut. "It was a wonderful present. For me, this is perhaps one of the best moments of my life – after my first downhill in Val Gardena."

Max Perathoner experienced his first World Cup weekend in Kitzbühel. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

The legendary downhill course in Kitzbühel is naturally associated with many memories – after all, the Streif has been providing iconic images and epic tales of heroism for decades. "I can still vividly remember Hannes Reichelt's victory in 2014, or Aksel Lund Svindal's serious crash ten years ago," says Perathoner. With Dominik Paris, Florian Schieder, and Christof Innerhofer – and since Saturday, Giovanni Franzoni as well – the young South Tyrolean doesn't have to go far to hear such stories firsthand.

It's still a bit tricky at the top – and then it flows smoothly.

Did he seek advice from his roommate Innerhofer, who had competed in 50 starts in Kitzbühel during his career, before his debut on the Streif? "I did ask Christof a few questions," he remarked. "If I'm skiing a bit better next time, I can ask him more precisely how I can squeeze out those last hundredths of a second. But as long as I'm still missing seconds, I'll find the answers myself."

Max Perathoner at the World Cup in Val Gardena. © Gabriele Facciotti/Pentaphoto

On Friday, the time had finally come: Perathoner accepted the challenge in the Super-G – and celebrated a respectable result with 28th place.“A wonderful day. A huge crowd, so many people you could hear all the way to the starting gate,” raved the Italian after scoring World Cup points for the second time in his career in front of his family. “I didn’t want to try anything new, just stick to the line and push myself to take a certain risk.” In his analysis, Perathoner knew where there was still room for improvement. “I really messed up the first section, I noticed that immediately,” he said. “But from the Hausbergkante onwards, it worked perfectly.”

Rituals are (still) nonexistent.

Professional athletes are often said to be superstitious. However, Perathoner hasn't yet developed any rituals. "Of course, you have a certain routine when it comes to eating and drinking, but I don't have a specific ritual," he said. "But it's worked without one so far!" This year of firsts is strong proof of that.