KITZBUEHEL, AUSTRIA, 20.JAN.23. Vincent Kriechmayr along with his group.
Picture: GEPA photographs
KITZBUHEL, Austria — Vincent Kriechmayr gained the primary of two downhills on the traditional Kitzbühel Streif course, whereas different pre-race favorites Aleksander Aamodt Kilde and Marco Odermatt narrowly prevented high-speed crashes.
Kitzbühel Strief isn’t thrilling. The primary of two descents on the Hahnenkamm introduced a major shock when total chief Marco Odermatt of Switzerland and downhill chief Aleksander Aamodt of Norway made near-catastrophic errors at Kilde.
Kriechmayr wins once more
“Streif is a fantasy, a legend. It is crucial race for an Austrian downhiller,” stated Kriechmayr, who gained two downhills in Italy in December. “To win in Kitzbühel is simply superb. That is crucial World Cup race of the season. I attempted, I attempted all the things. i pushed It wasn’t an ideal run, but it surely was completely on the restrict.”
“It was shut, actually shut, virtually too shut,” Kilde stated. “It occurred actually shortly. Once I hit the bottom, I fell somewhat and all the things occurs in a short time. That is Kitzbühel, that is it.”
Odermatt on the Steilhang and Kilde on the traverse almost crashed and solely superior athleticism saved them afloat. Nevertheless, Austrian followers will have fun the night time effectively with their nation’s winner, Vincent Kriechmayr. To the delight of the group, he used extremely quick splits in sectors two and 7 to earn his third landing of the season.
Kriechmayr mastered the tough course in overcast circumstances because the world champion from Austria cruised to his third win of the season and fifteenth of his profession.
“I actually struggled. In the event you have a look at the outcomes of earlier years, I used to be not the favourite,” Kriechmayr informed Austrian TV channel ORF. “However this time I wished to do higher. I took a whole lot of danger. I used to be not with out errors, however the dangers paid off.”
Italian shock
One of many greatest surprises of the day is bib 43 Italian Florian Schieder. Snowboarding completely, Schieder took benefit of the improved gentle and completed the day in second place. Even Sheeder could not consider his eyes and screamed with pleasure on the end. This isn’t solely his first podium. That is his first high 10. Attaining such a excessive efficiency on the game’s greatest stage makes his day all of the extra spectacular.
At present, the advance of sunshine performed an essential position within the consequence. Many racers with larger bib numbers skilled improved visibility. This created a chance for good skiers. Because of this, 9 riders with bibs over 30 scored World Cup factors, together with Sheeder. Three of them are from North America. Canada’s Broderick Thompson began thirty ninth and completed ninth, USA’s Erik Arvidsson began 52nd and completed the day twenty first, and Canada’s Brody Seger began thirty fourth and completed twenty fifth. Thompson was third on the Beaver Creek super-G podium a yr in the past, however this was his first World Cup high 10 end.
“The sunshine actually acquired higher, however I made good use of it,” stated Sheeder, whose earlier greatest in a World Cup race was thirteenth. “I did not make any massive errors. Getting on the rostrum in Kitzbuehel is a skier’s dream. A dream come true.”
It would not be Kitzbühel with out a Swiss athlete on the rostrum. Niels Hintermann ended the day in third, though one of the best of them virtually completed his day at Steilhang. Nevertheless, his 23-year-old teammate Alexis Monney Mooney’s tenth place end in 37 begins can’t be neglected. 5 skiers scored factors at this time, none of whom have been Swiss with the final identify Odermatt. Retiring Swiss champion Beat Feuz completed the day in twenty eighth and can hope to go one higher in his ultimate race tomorrow. Odermatt won’t race on Saturday as he injured his knee in the course of the dramatic Steilhang restoration and is now day-to-day.
Nice day for USA Goldberg
Arguably one of the best a part of the day for North America is Jared Goldberg from the USA. Goldberg has proven velocity within the sectors all season and this yr he took sixth place at Gröden-Val Gardena. At present, within the hardest take a look at of the World Cup, he completed his profession in fourth place.
Goldberg pushes laborious; his coaches say he is one mistake away from touchdown on the rostrum. Whereas nobody skis with out a mistake in Streif, at this time he stood by his skis and shocked everybody however his group along with his excessive end. He tied for factors with three different Stifel Alpine Crew USA members.
“I feel I discovered one other mechanism for the best way to push on the proper instances and keep free,” Goldberg stated.
Ganog joins Goldberg within the high 10
It is thrilling to see two of the USA’s greatest in high kind heading into the World Championships in France. Travis Ganog joins Goldberg within the high 10. He took the seventh place. Ganog is acknowledged as among the finest skiers within the Alpine World Cup. At present, he confirmed his expertise within the Tremendous Cup of velocity occasions.
“I had some wild sections, which is an efficient factor as a result of it means I am pushing,” Ganong stated. “Now I have a look at how the time I spent with one of the best guys went. It is nice.”
Goldberg’s American teammate, Travis Ganogong, had the No. 1 bib and had a lead time of eight riders. Ganog completed seventh, 0.46 behind Kriechmayr, and later introduced his plans to retire after the season.
“I am fairly prepared to start out performing some new issues,” Ganong stated. “He has been within the US group for 18 years. I’m glad with what I’ve executed. I’ve been among the many greatest for a very long time.”
A complete of seven North People accomplished the factors. Others to hitch the aforementioned are bib 30, Cameron Alexander, at 19, and bib 19, USA’s Bryce Bennett, 29.
Sadly, the day didn’t finish with out harm. The race was stopped for 20 minutes after Henrik Roea crashed crossing the end line at 140 km/h (87 mph). The Norwegian clearly injured his leg and was taken to the hospital by helicopter. Roe’s standing was unknown at press time.
An evaluation of the highest 30 and the highest three quickest racers and North People within the high 30 outcomes
Prime 30 Kitzbühel 20 January outcomes
The Related Press and USST contributed to this report.
It is a growing story, keep tuned for updates.
