
Surprise winner: Germany's Thomas Dressen pulled off a shock win with his first World Cup victory -- and in the legendary Kitzbuhel downhill.

History maker: Dressen earned only his second World Cup podium finish and became the first German since 1979 to win the revered Kitzbuhel downhill.

On the podium: Dressen won from Swiss Beat Feuz (left), who was the victor in Wengen last week, and 2014 champion Hannes Reichelt of Austria (right).

Party town: A crowd of about 45,000 turned out to watch the famous race, which plunges down the Hahnenkamm mountain to finish in the town.

Carnival atmosphere: The race weekend is a huge occasion with vast crowds flocking to see the racing and revel in Kitzbuhel's cobbled streets.

Chocolate box: Kitzbuhel is a former silver mining town with a pretty, pedestrianized medieval center in the heart of Austria's Tyrol region.

Going, going...: Austrian Patrick Schweiger tangles with a gate during the infamous race, the scariest and hairiest on the World Cup circuit.

...Gone: American skier Jared Goldberg hits the safety nets on the difficult Streif run in Kitzbuhel.

He's back!: Actor, politician and muscle man Arnold Schwarzenegger is a regular visitor to the legendary race.

Speed merchant: Former Formula One world champion Niki Lauda of Austria is another Hahnenkamm fan.

Celeb-tastic: Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone was also among the crowd.

National pride: Dressen celebrated with the rest of his German teammates after the historic win.