World Cup Kvitfjell - The history 1993-2022 (2002)

The Downhill in 2002 turned out to be a challenging task for the organizers in Kvitfjell. The wind was strong, and it soon came clear that the start had to be moved down to what is normally the ladies’ start / men’s reserve start.

By Stein B. Olsen and Svein Mundal

Fastest of all was the Austrian Hannes Trinkl. An agreeable chap who admitted that it was quite all right to have a bit of luck on his side as well.
- Yes, the wind was on my side this time. But this is an outdoor sport, so this applies to everyone, said a humble and happy Hannes Trinkl. Hannes was rejected as a competitor in the Salt Lake Olympics the previous month by the Austrian Ski Association, which he himself considered a mistake, based on his results prior to the Olympics. Thus, the results in Kvitfjell were a great boost for him. Kvitfjell was the second victory of his career.

For the last years, Hannes Trinkl has worked as a race manager on the men’s side for the
International Ski Association (FIS). During an interview in 2018, he said:
- I have always liked the slopes in Kvitfjell. A lot of terrain, few resting spots, a great destination that is still in progress, and a lot of nice people. Everyone in the circus appreciates coming to Kvitfjell. The middle station area is quiet, the distances are short with the hotels close to the Downhill course. For me it almost feels like coming home.
He still enjoys himself in Kvitfjell and it is a great pleasure for the organizers to welcome him this year as well, in week 9.

Lasse Kjus was one of people claiming that this was a “bingo race”. He came in number 28. After the Downhill on Saturday, the Norwegian team was forced to hear some harsh truths from Atle Skårdal, regarding their own efforts. The best Norwegian in the Downhill on Saturday was Kenneth Sivertsen on the 19th place.
In the Super-G on Sunday Alessandro Fattori was the fastest one. Kjetil André Aamodt was the best Norwegian on 5th place, followed by Lasse Kjus who came in next. In other words, it seemed that Skårdal’s serious talk the day before actually worked.

Other than this there was much focus about the application for the 2007 Alpine World
Championship, where the organizing company Hafjell-Kvitfjell Alpin AS was one of the
applicants. Once again, the organizer in Kvitfjell was appreciated for their ability to organize successful sport events, but as we all know, the 2007 Alpine World Cup was assigned to Åre in the spring of 2002.

RESULTS:
DH: Hannes Trinkl (AUT) Claude Crétier (FRA) Kristian Ghedina (ITA)
SG: Alessandro Fattori (ITA) Didier Defago (SUI) Stephan Eberharter (AUT)