The Prologue is a one-day competition that takes place in the mountains around Kirchberg, three days before the main race starts on June 12. Athletes have to cover a 37 km course around eight turnpoints, both on foot and in the air. This is the perfect opportunity for fans and media to see the athletes in action before the main race begins.
The official start of the Prologue is in Kirchberg, and Turnpoint 1 is located directly above Kitzbühel in the air. The route features famous landmarks such as the world-renowned Hahnenkamm downhill course and the Kitzbüheler Horn. The final stretch of the Prologue will be an exciting sprint from Turnpoint 8 to the finish in the heart of Kitzbühel – where athletes must carry their paraglider on their shoulders and run the last 400 meters.
The top three athletes each win an additional Night Pass, a strategic tool that allows them to bypass the mandatory rest period. Furthermore, the results of the Prologue determine the starting order for Day 2 of the race, which begins with a staggered start. The winner of the Prologue sets off first, and the other athletes follow according to their time gap.