Upper Austrian Vincent Kriechmayr was only eight hundredths of a second slower on Saturday than Niels Hintermann, who won in the Norwegian ski resort for the second time after 2022. Cameron Alexander (+0.19), a Canadian, came third. In the duel for the downhill ball, a preliminary decision was made in favor of Marco Odermatt.
“That hasn’t happened yet”
The leader in the discipline ranking took seventh place and extended his lead over Cyprien Sarrazin, who did not start, to 42 points. The Frenchman suffered a bruised calf during the shortened final training session on Friday. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to compete in the World Cup finals in Saalbach. If it works out, Sarrazin would have to score massively there and hope that Odermatt slips up. “Hopefully there will be an exciting final at the finale,” said Odermatt in the ORF interview. “That hasn’t happened yet.”
“I have more plans for myself”
Kriechmayr was only somewhat satisfied with his trip. “Of course it’s nice to be on the podium, but that doesn’t make up for the season so far. I still have more plans for the season,” he said. This time he was much more relaxed than in previous races. As has been the case in the past six World Cup years Kriechmayr also at least a podium place in the ranking in 2023/24. “But a podium after seven downhill runs isn’t my goal either.”
In the Super-G on Sunday (12 p.m.) the Upper Austrian still has a mathematical chance of winning the small crystal ball. “But that’s more of a wish or a dream, because with Odermatt’s form in the Super-G that’s not possible, I think.” The Swiss is already 121 points ahead Kriechmayr.
“Now I’m just happy”
On the technically unchallenging route, with blue skies and sunshine, gliding skills were particularly required. Hintermann showed his class, even though the performance was “not really explainable” for him. “But now I’m just happy. I have a good feeling on the snow again that I can push,” he reported. Dominik Paris missed his chance of victory with a serious mistake when he slipped on the inside ski but was still able to avoid a fall and ultimately only finished 18th (+1.00).
Danklmaier wants to attack tomorrow
Daniel Danklmaier was the second best Austrian in 14th place (+0.93). “Unfortunately I missed the steep right-hand bend at the top, but it was still a relief when I descended to the finish,” said the Styrian after his best result of the season in the downhill. “Now I’m looking forward to tomorrow, it’s definitely given me a boost in confidence. Now I’ll attack again tomorrow.”
The ÖSV team qualified via the downhill ranking Kriechmayr only Stefan Babinsky (28th/+1.28) and Otmar Striedinger for the final. Striedinger, Raphael Haaser, Stefan Rieser, Christoph Krenn and Andreas Ploier remained without World Cup points on Saturday. Athletes like Marco Schwarz, Daniel Hemetsberger, Max Franz and Julian Schütter are known to be missing due to injuries.
