Kilde wins again - this time in Kitzbuhel
Die Streif once more appeared to be the challenging downhill course we are used to see. A lot of snow in advance had presented challenges to the course crew, but the race course showed to be well prepared. The weather was variably light cloudy with a little snow in the air.
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde chose bib number 11 again and showed also this time what form he has when it comes to speed races. The home favourite Matthias Mayer had a strong run, especially in the lower part, and was in the lead. Half way through the course Kilde was 1.24 second in front of Mayer. He lost a little at the end, but finished with a 0.67 second lead. This appeared to be solid! The only who threatened the victory was the 41 years Johan Clarey (FRA) who was equal to Kilde on Hausberg, but he finished 0.42 second behind Kilde. A long time after most people believed that the podium was settled, with bib number 43, another experienced French racer came in third and pushed Mayer out of the podium. It is not unusual that we get surprises like this in Kitzbuhel, maybe it has something to do with variations of the light.
Kilde is the fourth Norwegian to win downhill in Kitzbuhel. Henrik Røa (NOR) with bib number 36 had a good performance in the upper part, but then he missed a gate.
Because of heavy snowfall Saturday January 22nd the second downhill was moved to Sunday. Satuday the slalom race was accomplished in continuous snowfall, but the slope was solid through the race, and it was to be a dramatic and entertaining race. After one of the favourites after the other went out, Dave Ryding was still on top as Great Britain's first winner of an alpine WC race ever. Together with him on the podium came Lucas Braathen, by this leading the slalom cup and racing with the red bib number, and Henrik Kristoffersen advancing from 24th to 3rd place.
The downhill on Sunday started from the top in mainly cloudy weather, but the course crew had done a magnificent job with the course. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde chose again bib number 11, but this time he did not fully succeed and finished number seven, which means that he keeps the red bib number as leader of the downhill cup. This was the Swiss' day with Beat Feuz and Marco Odermatt with a clear margin to the rest. For the first time on the podium came Daniel Hemetsberger (AUT), a great experience for him on home ground.
