12:59 p.m
Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT)
Now the world champion is on his way. Vincent Kriechmayr has to master this descent without official training.
12:56
Travis Ganong (USA)
Travis Ganong starts really briskly, hits the line brilliantly. But then the American installs a major error in the Kernen-S. Prompt is almost a second gone. The 33-year-old does not initially lose more. At the finish, that’s only enough for 5th place.
12:54
Matthias Mayer (AUT)
Now we expect that the current best time will be put to the test. At first, the 2014 Olympic champion is still looking for the perfect line, the Carinthian knows the Lauberhorn descent and knows how to brake when necessary. Mayer then picks up a lot of speed, is more than 150 kilometers per hour. But in the end it’s not enough. Just under half a second is missing – only rank 3!
12:52
Matteo Marsaglia (Italy)
Shortly after the start, the athletes seem impatient. You only pick up speed hesitantly, which is why Matteo Marsaglia also takes stepping steps. The Italian does not invest enough in the necessary places. Every now and then the athletes have to slow down at the right moment. The 36-year-old does not dose this optimally and ultimately catches himself one and a half seconds behind.
12:50 p.m
Beat Feuz (SUI)
Then the Swiss audience eagerly awaits the performance of Beat Feuz. At the beginning the line doesn’t fit with the triple Wengen winner. But there is still a long way to go, and there is still something to be gained. And that’s what the Confederate does. Feuz arrives at the bottom with a lead of 16 hundredths. But it’s probably even faster. We can be excited.
12:46 p.m
Daniel Hemetsberger (AUT)
Now follows Daniel Hemetsberger. The ÖSV driver caught the Hundschopf very well and then had the better line. A good omen is the Wengernalpbahn, which is passing through when Hemetsberger heads for the tunnel. In fact, he finally arrives at the finish line with a nine-tenth lead.
12:44
Johan Clarey (FRA)
Here we go. Johan Clarey is on his way. Although the 41-year-old was never able to win a World Cup race, he has been on the podium at other downhill classics such as Kitzbühel and Gröden as well as in Garmisch. Due to the lowered start, it is not far to the Hundschopf. The pace is still enough for a jump. Despite some shady sections, visibility is good. The Frenchman coped with the task and set the first time at the finish.
12:41
Next Precursor
In the meantime, the injured predecessor has been transported away. Another one is now on the track. So the start of the race is imminent. But wait and see, because Julian Hug has also fallen now. But he drives on shortly afterwards.
12:38 p.m
conditions
While we wait for the competition to start, we look at the conditions. With temperatures around freezing point, the sun shines in the Bernese Oberland. The slope is excellently prepared. And under 3G regulation, even spectators can be there.
12:34
favourites
In addition to the athletes mentioned, Dominik Paris (start number 9) is of course one of the favorites. The Italian was second here in 2020. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, third in 2019, should also be mentioned. The Norwegian is in very strong form at the moment. And of course we’ll see what Val Gardena winner Bryce Bennett is doing today.
12:30 p.m
start delay
The start was delayed due to the fall of a forerunner. Apparently Stefan Schneberger injured himself and has to be transported by helicopter.
12:27
End of Janka’s career
After Niels Hintermann (20) and Stefan Rogentin (21) follows Carlo Janka (22). The Lauberhorn victory in 2010 means more to the 35-year-old than the Olympic gold he won in giant slalom in 2010. Janka has just announced that he wants to end his career after the Lauberhorn weekend. Other Swiss starters are Urs Kryenbühl (27), Gilles Roulin (33) and Justin Murisier (49). Altogether, Swiss-Ski is represented by eight athletes.
12:24
Top favorite Feuz
The hosts rely primarily on Beat Feuz (start number 3). The world championship and Olympic bronze medalist has already won the Lauberhorn downhill three times (2012, 2018, 2020). Since the World Cup in Wengen fell victim to Corona last year, the winner of the small crystal ball is now the defending champion. In addition, Marco Odermatt (13) is currently capable of anything given his outstanding form. The leader in the overall World Cup has already proven that he can also be at the front in the downhill (second in Bormio).
12:16
Eight Austrians
In addition to the winner of 2019, the ÖSV is represented extensively with seven other athletes in the 50-strong starting field. It’s Daniel Hemetsberger’s turn (car number 2) very early on. We are excited about Matthias Mayer (6). The 2014 Olympic champion definitely wants to win the classic in Wengen. Otmar Striedinger (15), second from Val Gardena, also calculates something. We are also expecting Max Franz (17), Daniel Danklmaier (25), Christian Walder (39) and Stefan Babinsky (48).
12:07 p.m
Vortex about Kriechmayr
Vincent Kriechmayr (car number 7) is part of the starting field. The world champion only tested himself free on Wednesday after a corona infection, and was able to compete in the Super G yesterday (9th), but did not complete any official downhill training. It therefore required a special permit from the jury to give the Upper Austrian the right to start.
11:58
German quintet
The only German downhill winners in Wengen are Willi Bogner (1960) and Markus Wasmeier (1987). This year five DSV athletes are at the start. As fifth from Bormio, Dominik Schwaiger (car number 8) only proved his qualities at the end of December. Andreas Sander can also build on a good starting number (16). Romed Baumann (19) and Josef Ferstl (28) did well in yesterday’s Super G with top 6 placements. The German squad is completed by Simon Jocher (40).
11:49
wengen
Once a year, the entourage of alpine skiers can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. And there is one of the downhill classics par excellence. Anyone who is self-respecting in the scene definitely wants to win this race at least once. However, today we are witnessing an abbreviated version. In any case, the entire distance, with a length of almost four and a half kilometers and a difference in altitude of more than 1,000 meters, is hardly ever driven. Today we don’t even get to a three-kilometer competition distance. From the start at 2,025 meters, it goes down 738 meters in altitude to the finish. The course set by Hannes Trinkl shows the way. The FIS race director scored 35 goals.
11:40 a.m
Welcome
Welcome to the 92nd International Lauberhorn Races in Wengen! The alpine ski racers are currently competing in a tight program in the Bernese Oberland – four races in four days. After yesterday’s replacement Super-G in Bormio, the two regularly planned downhill runs and the slalom on Sunday will follow. First of all, the speed specialists are in demand today at 12:30 p.m.