The ski racers from Switzerland caused the Lauberhorn to shake at their home game in Wengen. Superstar Marco Odermatt won the longest downhill course in the World Cup with a record time ahead of his teammate Franjo van Allmen, who had won the Super-G the day before. It was the fourth Swiss double victory in the fourth downhill race of the season – and the first on the Lauberhorn. However, the 40,000 spectators on the mountain and at the finish also saw two serious accidents.
Overall World Cup winner Odermatt, seventh in the Super-G the day before, needed 2:22.58 minutes for the 4,450 meter long route, on which speeds of more than 150 km/h can be reached. Van Allmen was 0.37 seconds behind. The Slovenian Miha Hrobat (+0.57), who was strong again, took third place. A total of eleven starters fell short of the previous course record set by Kristian Ghedina from Italy in 1997 (2:24.23).
Romed Baumann (Kiefersfelden) slipped and missed a goal, Luis Vogt (Garmisch), with start number 43, still got World Cup points in 28th place (+2.92). The slalom with hopeful Linus Straßer (Munich) will take place on Sunday (10.15/13.15).
For Odermatt, who was celebrated with chants of “Odi, Odi” immediately after crossing the finish line, it was the third triumph on the Lauberhorn after his two victories the previous year, putting him on a par with compatriot Beat Feuz and Austria’s skiing emperor Franz Klemm.
“It’s a dream day,” said Odermatt and added on “ARD”: “It’s a dream for every Swiss to drive here, if you can also win the race, those are great emotions.”
Alpine skiing: Vincent Kriechmayr flies into the safety net
The extreme challenges of the strenuous route proved fatal to one of the veterans, among others.
Shortly before the finish curve after almost 4,400 meters, the Austrian Vincent Kriechmayr, who started with number eight, was lifted out on a wave in the shade and flew into the safety net. The 2021 double world champion was able to drive to the finish area himself, but apparently left supported by carers because of an injury to his right knee.
Kriechmayr was flown out of the finish area by helicopter, Blaise Giezendanner also had to be transported directly from the track in a helicopter. The Frenchman was heavily supported and flew into the safety net along the track.