Being the first men’s downhill race since the 2022 Winter Olympics, and the first of three races in Kvitfjell, it was definitely a race not to miss. After claiming gold in the downhill at the Olympics, Beat Feuz (SUI) was looking to be a strong favourite alongside Norwegian, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who is leading the downhill world cup standings. Both were on the podium in 2nd and 3rd place until Niels Hintermann (SUI) and Cameron Alexander (CAN) tackled the hill.
Hintermann is no stranger to the downhill podium this season. The Swiss skier claimed his first downhill podium results earlier this season after finishing 3rd in both Bormio (ITA) and Val Gardena (ITA). Finishing 0.12 seconds ahead of Matthias Mayer (AUT), with a near-perfect run, it was looking like a tough time to beat.
Wearing bib 39, Alexander sped down the course and found the speed he needed to match Hintermann’s time of 1:44.42, placing both of them at the top of the leader board. Alexander had yet to claim a podium finish, however, had previously claimed his only top-10 finish back in 2020 in Kvitfjell. The last time a Canadian won a men’s downhill race was in 2014 when Erik Guay won the downhill race in Kvitfjell.
It’s the first time that two athletes share the victory at a men’s downhill race since Are 2018. Both Alexander and Hintermann made new personal records after today’s race, as it was both their first downhill World Cup victory. Hintermann had previously won the alpine combined in Wengen (SUI) in 2017, however, Alexander had yet won a World Cup race.
2022 Olympic downhill bronze medallist, Matthias Mayer, finished 3rd to claim his third downhill podium finish of the season. He previously had won the opening race of the season in Lake Louise (CAN) and placed 2nd in Beaver Creek (USA), but hadn’t placed on a downhill World Cup podium since. The winner of the 2020 downhill in Kvitfjell will have another chance tomorrow to take back the title.
Tomorrow’s downhill race will be another race not to miss as it’ll be Kjetil Jansrud’s (NOR) last race. He has announced that after the race he will be retiring from the sport. Racing is scheduled to start at 11:30 (CET).
