TheArlberg-Kandahar race (often abbreviatedA-K orAK) is an annualalpine skiing event. The first edition of the race was held in 1928 inSt. Anton, in theArlberg district ofAustria. The location originally alternated between St. Anton andMürren,Switzerland.[1] Later, it began to be held in other locations as well, such asChamonix,France,[2]Sestriere,Italy, andGarmisch-Partenkirchen,Germany.[3]
The two organizers of the original 1928 race were the Ski Club Arlberg in Austria and the BritishKandahar Ski Club, based in Mürren. The latter is named after the British military commanderFrederick Roberts, Earl of Kandahar, the major benefactor of the club. (At the firstdownhill race organized by skiing pioneerArnold Lunn, held atCrans-Montana in 1911, Roberts donated the trophy, the Roberts of Kandahar Challenge Cup.)
Lunn, founder of the Kandahar Ski Club, metHannes Schneider of the Ski Club Arlberg in 1927. Together they organized the firstslalom race in Arlberg, held at St. Anton. The event was successful, so on March 3 and 4 of the following year they held the first Arlberg-Kandahar races.[4] The slalom and downhill events constituted the firstalpine combined events in the history of alpine racing. 45 racers fromAustria,Switzerland, theUnited Kingdom, and theUnited States took part. Within two years, the popularity of the event brought a major success: in 1930, theInternational Ski Federation recognized alpine skiing events in addition to the traditionalNordic disciplines.[1]
From 1931 until the Second World War, the races were alternately held at Arlberg and Mürren. In 1948, Chamonix became the third host, followed by Sestriere in 1951 and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 1954. Until the introduction of theWorld Cup in1967, the A-K races were the most important alpine ski races besides theWinter Olympics and theWorld Championships.
In the World Cup era, the Arlberg-Kandahar races have continued to be held as part of the World Cup, but their importance has diminished. The word "Kandahar" is still found in the names of many legendary race courses, such as the "Kandahar Garmisch" in Germany, the "Kandahar" event at Chamonix and the spectacular "Kandahar Banchetta" course in Sestriere that hosted the 1997 FIS World Championships. the 2006 Olympics as well as several World Cup races including the 'Big' Finals in 2004.