Two Norwegian victories in Wengen
After cancellation of the races in Wengen last year because of Covid'19, this year we had four spectacular and exciting races. Weather, snow conditions and the audience also contributed to this in the best possible way.
Could Kilde take his fourth Super-G victory in a row?
Super-G on Thursday 13th of January was the race that had to be cancelled in Lake Louise (CAN) in November and again in Bormio (ITA) during Christmas. In Wengen the conditions were perfect for accomplishing the races. The Swiss' own outstanding Marco Odermatt did a close to perfect race and took the lead with nearly one second before the six racers already finished. Matthias Mayer (AUT) then came in 0.58 second behind Odermatt. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde had bib number 11 and did a fast and perfect race until he lost the line a bit in a long jump. He finished number two 0.23 second behind Odermatt, who with this took his first victory in his home country.
Adrian Smiseth Sejersted is fighting to come back after injury and finished 29.
Could Kilde take the victory from the Swiss in the Friday Downhill?
From bib number three the Swiss downhill king Beat Feuz took the lead in the race, but it looked as if he was not satified at the finish. Still the leader chair was his while several big favourites came in behind. However, with bib number 11 Aleksander Aamodt Kilde completed a race looking totally perfect with green numbers all the way to the finish, 0.30 second in front of Feuz. But then we have seen that the former GS and Super-G specialist, and main favourite to win the big chrystal globe, Marco Odermatt has also become a downhill specialist. He threatened Kilde's lead all the way, but he came in 0.19 second behind Kilde, who by this is one of few Norwegians to win a downhill in Wengen.
Who should win the traditional Lauberhorn race on Saturday?
The weather and the conditions were still first class when lots of spectators flocked into the arena with train, skis and feet. Before the downhill on Friday the jury had approved the start of the double world champion Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) in the downhill, even if he had been prohibited from taking part in the official trainings because of Covid'19 quarantine. A special training start was organized for Kriechmayr. He also completed the Super-G the day before the downhill. Kriechmayr took out his best and won the downhill on Saturday, 0.34 second in front of Beat Feuz and 0.44 second in front of Dominik Paris (ITA). Kilde did not show his best this third raceday (and two training days) and ended as number seven, 0.98 second behind the winner.
Drama and excitement in the slalom on Sunday
After the first run three racers ranked top seven had the three first positions: Henrik Kristoffersen, Manuel Feller (AUT) and Sebastian Foss-Solevaag. Lucas Braathen with bib number 31 also aimed for a good first run when he made a mistake before the finish and came in number 29. Timon Haugan also seemed to qualify for the second run when he went out. Atle Lie McGrath and Alexander Steen Olsen did not manage to qualify for the second run.
From place number 29 Lucas Braathen could then start number two in the second run. And he really made use of this chance completed a perfect run, showing to be 0.97 second faster than the second best time in the second run. Lucas Braathen then could sit in the leader chair while 28 racers better than him in the first run tried to beat him. None of them managed to, either they raced too slowly, or they went out. Particularly dramatic it was when Henrik Kristoffersen, with two seconds lead and the only who managed to to keep close to the same speed as Braathen, with the victory in his pocket, went out four gates before finish.
With this Lucas Braathen took his first victory in slalom in front of Daniel Yule (SUI) and Giuliano Razzoli (ITA).
