12:32
Matthias Mayer (AUT)
It’s all about the action right from the start, because co-favorite Matthias Mayer opens the traditional Lauberhorn descent with start number one! The Carinthian enjoys the best slope conditions and puts in a small counter-swing on the Kernen-S to control the speed. Otherwise, the line is right for the 31-year-old Austrian, who after a total running time of 2:26.60 minutes swings Mayer off the finish line and sets the first target time of the day.
12:26
The external conditions
In contrast to the past few days, it has gotten a little warmer in the Bernese Oberland. The sun is shining over the track and the temperatures are now four degrees above freezing, which could well be noticeable on the track as the race progresses.
12:20 p.m
The daily task
The downhill classic in Wengen is not the most difficult route, but it is incredibly exhausting due to its enormous length: The start house is at an altitude of 2315 meters, after which the athletes have to cross the finish line over 4.2 kilometers. Gliding skills are required on the traverse shot at the beginning, until it gets really spectacular on the legendary Hundschopf. Tactical tricks and the best line are sought in the narrow Kernen-S, because another flat section follows with the Langentrejen section. After more than two minutes, the thighs are burning when the decision about victory or defeat is made after the Hannegg shot and the Silberhorn jump in the Ziel-S.
12:09 p.m
The other group of favorites
Once again, victory will most likely only go to Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. In his impressive comeback season, the strong Norwegian celebrated his fifth win of the season on the shortened descent yesterday and thus also took the lead in the discipline ranking. In addition to Kilde, Matthias Mayer, Beat Feuz and Marco Odermatt, it is especially important to pay attention to Dominik Paris. The South Tyrolean has never been on the podium in Wengen and of course wants to improve this statistic as soon as possible.
11:57
Farewell to Janka
On the one hand, the Swiss team wants to fight for the day’s victory on home soil in the Bernese Oberland, on the other hand, the end of Carlo Janka’s (car number 16) career will also be the focus. The former overall World Cup and Olympic champion completes the last race of his active career in Wengen. Beat Feuz (3) and Marco Odermatt (11), both of whom were on the podium yesterday and once again belong to the inner circle of favourites, will catapult themselves onto the slope beforehand. Niels Hintermann (20), Stefan Rogentin (21), Urs Kryenbühl (23), Gilles Roulin (32) and Justin Murisier (47) complete the Swiss team.
11:46
ÖSV team attacks the podium
In fourth place, Daniel Hemetsberger (car number 12) surprisingly became the best Austrian of the day and missed the step onto the podium by just a few hundredths. However, the 30-year-old didn’t feel very fit recently, which is why the full distance could become a problem for him today. Instead, Matthias Mayer (1) wants to take advantage of the optimal slope conditions and achieve the next podium place. Vincent Kriechmayr (7), Otmar Striedinger (15) and Max Franz (17) will certainly be expected. In addition, Daniel Danklmaier (27), Christian Walder (37) and Stefan Babinsky (46) follow with higher starting numbers for the ÖSV squad.
11:38
DSV team wants to fight back
The runners of the German Ski Association all had a completely wasted day yesterday and are therefore aiming for immediate compensation. Dominik Schwaiger was able to do best in the first descent in 24th place, but the 30-year-old will also want to improve on today’s classic with the good number six. Romed Baumann (start number 6) and Josef Ferstl (25), on the other hand, already proved on Thursday in the Super-G that top positions can be enough. While Simon Jocher (38) completes the DSV team, the problem child Andreas Sander is missing from the starting list after a persistent lack of form.
11:30
Warm welcome!
Hello and welcome to the Men’s Alpine World Cup in Wengen! After the Super-G on Thursday and the shortened descent yesterday, the full program awaits the athletes at the traditional Lauberhorn race. At 12:30 p.m., the Austrian Matthias Mayer opens the spectacle in the Bernese Oberland.
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