The event is considered one of the most prestigious on the skiing calendar, with over 80,000 spectators expected for the three days of racing.

Organisers provide a further incentive to skiers for the 80th anniversary of the event, with a 25 per cent increase in prize money announced back in October.

A boost of €100,000 (£86,300/$111,300) was given to the prize-pool for the classic downhill and slalom events, leaving a total of €725,000 (£625,700/$807,000) on offer.

Last year's winners of the traditional Hahnenkamm races have had differing build-ups to the competition.

Italy's Dominik Paris will be unable to defend the downhill title - he crashed in training and has suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Switzerland's Beat Feuz will hope to improve on his runner-up finish last year, with the downhill World Cup leader heading into the competition fresh from victory in Wengen.

France's Clément Noël won the men's slalom title at the Swiss venue last week, marking his fifth victory within the last 12 months.

The omens look good for Noël, who earned his maiden World Cup success in Wengen last year, before immediately winning the slalom title in Kitzbühel.

Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen will be the biggest obstacle to the Frenchman clinching back-to-back wins in the prestigious event.

Kristoffersen finished runner-up to Noël last weekend in Wengen - and comes into the event as the overall and slalom World Cup leader.

The three-day World Cup event will begin tomorrow with the super-G title on offer.

Germany's Josef Ferstl triumphed in the race last year.

The downhill competition is scheduled for Saturday (January 25), with the slalom bringing the World Cup event to a close the following day.