Few Alpine race courses can look back on as long and rich a tradition as the Kandahar in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The sensational triumphs on the Kandahar can be attributed to the continuous improvement of the slopes to meet new requirements and provide for a spectacular race.

1921/1922

The foundation, which made Garmisch-Partenkirchen one of the world's most famous venues for alpine competitions, was laid by an Englishman in Switzerland. Sir Arnold Lunn, considered a pioneer of Alpine skiing, was the co-organizer of the first British national championship, held in 1921/1922 in the Swiss village of Mürren.

1928

The first Arlberg-Kandahar race was in 1928 in St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria. Lunn and his colleagues decided to name the competition after the English commander Frederick Roberts, who was named “the Earl of Kandahr” after his victorious return from the Afghan city.

1954

Two communities competed to host the Arlberg-Kandahar race on German soil: Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Apparently, Lunn was put off by the feared mist on the Nebelhorn in Oberstdorf, so he chose Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The premiere of the Kandahar race in Garmisch-Partenkirchen was 1954; at least five racers from the local ski club were at the start.

1969/1970

Murren and Sestriere retired as organizers of the Arlberg-Kandahar race in the 1970s. Meanwhile the first World Cup competitions were organized at the Kandahar in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 1969-70.

1994-1996

The German ski racer Katja Seizinger’s victory on the Kandahar in 1996 was cause for German jubilation. Due to the tragic death of Austrian racer Ulrike Maier in 1994, the women did not race on the Kandahar for several years.

2008/2009

In preparation for the Alpine World Cup in 2011, significant modifications were made to the Kandahar in 2008/2009 and brought the ladies their own race course "Kandahar 1", which starts at the Tröglhang and largely follows the former men's route. The men now take a different route into the valley on "Kandahar 2". With a length of up to 3,300 meters and a maximum gradient of 92 percent, the Kandahar is one of the most challenging descents in the men’s World Cup.

2011

From February 7th through February 20th Garmisch-Partenkirchen hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships themed "Festival in the Snow". The event was a great success.

2013

In February 2013, the 60th Kandahar Race was carried out.

RECORDS ON THE KANDAHAR

The Swiss racer Carlo Janka won the men's competition at the first World Cup on the new route “Kandahar 2” in 2010 with a time of 1:58.45. The current course record was set at the World Championships in 2011 by the Canadian Erik Guay, with a time of 1:58.41. On the 2,920-meter women's slope, Maria Hoefl-Riesch from Partenkirchen won the inaugural race on “Kandahar 1” with a still undefeated best time of 1:34.82 minutes. World champion Elisabeth Görgl of Austria won the gold medal a year later with a time of 1:47.24 minutes.