Eighth World Cup win of the season for Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. At the downhill in the USA, the Norwegian celebrated twice – the day’s win and the downhill World Cup. The best German raced in the top 10.
The Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde won in the downhill of aspens (USA) cleared the day’s win and the small crystal ball. The 30-year-old raced down the 2.48-kilometer runway in 1:31.60 minutes in the US posh resort on Saturday (04.03.2023). Kilde relegated Super G World Champion James Crawford from Canada (+ 0.61 seconds) and Downhill World Champion Marco Odermatt from Austria (+ 0.63 seconds) to places.
Sander strong ninth
The best German was Andreas Sander in ninth place (+ 1.01 seconds). The fastest in training on Thursday had to start the race with the high starting number 29, but drove a courageous and aggressive competition. In the meantime and in the middle part, the 33-year-old was even fourth. In the lower section, the 2021 World Cup runner-up lost some time, but at the finish he was happy with ninth place.
Kriechmayer cannot intercept Kilde
In the fight for the downhill World Cup, Austrian Vincent Kriechmayr, Kilde’s closest competitor in the fight for the crystal ball, could not catch up. The two-time world champion lost a lot of time at the start and, despite a strong race to catch up, only finished fourth (+ 0.70 seconds).
Good conditions in Aspen
One day after the abandoned race due to irregular conditions on “Ruthie’s Run“In Aspen the conditions were better on Saturday. The riders had a clear view, the wind in the finish area wasn’t blowing that strong. However, the riders with higher start numbers had to deal with a track that was softening due to the sun coming out.
As the second best German, Romed Baumann came in eleventh (+ 1.06 seconds). The 37-year-old started the race with the low starting number five and achieved top speed in the upper range. In the middle section, however, the two-time World Championship medal winner drove too timidly and lost a lot of time. Josef Ferstl and Dominik Schwaiger did not get optimal rides. Ferstl had problems right at the start and lost a lot of time. He was 14th (+ 1.28 seconds). Schwaiger remained too timid the entire ride and missed the top 20.
Dreßen retires while in the lead
Thomas Dreßen, who was allowed to start the race with the low start number three, was really annoyed. The 29-year-old from Mittenwald showed a strong race, especially in the upper part, and was clearly on course for the fastest time. At 119.2 km/h and in first place, he lost his balance two corners before the finish, missed a goal and was eliminated. Had he finished, the German would have had a good chance of finishing in the top 5. Dreßen hammered his helmet in anger at the finish.
Simon Jocher falls into the safety nets
Simon Jocher had his sights set on a top 15 finish, the third in qualifying improved from 27th place at the start to twelfth place. But then it lifted the 26-year-old off the slopes. Jocher flew into the nets and was eliminated. But sitting in the snow, he raised his thumb – the Garmisch native apparently didn’t hurt himself.
Sejersted also missed a surprise
Adrian Smiseth Sejersted, who was in the lead at the time of the abandonment on Friday, was also hugely frustrated. Despite the high start number 17, the 28-year-old was again on course for the podium. The Norwegian, who has twice made it into the top 3 in 58 World Cup races, drove courageously again and was even in the lead at the second split. In second place, he tipped too far forward in the lower area, lost his balance, was able to hold on – but was eliminated.
Sunday another Super-G in Aspen
At the speed weekend in aspensone of the most well-known ski areas in the USA, is still open on Sunday (03/05/2023, from 6 p.m.). Super G on the program.