PREVIEW

Pilot Dario Costa Makes Incredible Flight Down Kitzbühel Ski Run. Red Bull Air Race pilot Dario Costa has pushed the boundaries of aviation by flying down the legendary Streif ski run in Kitzbühel, Austria. Reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h in his Zivko Edge 540 aircraft, Costa's feat came ahead of the 85th Hahnenkamm races. The 3,312-metre-long course features an 860-metre elevation drop from the start gate at 1,665 metres above sea level. Its infamous sections include the Mausefalle (Mousetrap), Steilhang (Steep Slope), Alte Schneise (Old Clearing), Hausbergkante (Hausberg Edge), and the final jump into the finish. Speaking about the challenge, Costa said: “This is a world first, which is why I love it so much. Like all world firsts, the challenge is that you have no previous data to study. You have no experience. “Whatever you prepare for, there is always a big question mark. Records can be broken, but world firsts will live forever.” Flying as close as possible to the ski slope, Costa experienced g-forces exceeding 10g while negotiating the course's steep gradients, including sections with an 85 percent incline. The flight required absolute precision—flying too fast would have meant an excessive turning radius, while flying too slowly risked stalling during the manoeuvres. It included two particularly demanding manoeuvres—passing through the Red Bull arch at the Hausbergkante and the finishing arch (Audi Bogen). Among those witnessing the historic feat was 2001 Super-G World Champion Daron Rahlves, a veteran alpine skier with 12 World Cup race victories, including the Downhill on the Streif in 2003.