On a Familiar Course: Men's Downhill
The battle for the "Small Crystal Globe" in downhill is already over - for the third year in a row, Swiss skier Marco Odermatt has won the World Cup title in this discipline early.
Downhill standings
1. Marco Odermatt (Switzerland) - 670
2. Franjo von Allmen (Switzerland) - 435
3. Giovanni Franzoni (Italy) - 354
4. Dominik Paris (Italy) - 341
5. Vincent Kriechmayr (Austria) - 322
A year ago, both downhills at the Finals were cancelled because of the weather. Marco then won the World Cup in the "royal" discipline, finishing 83 points ahead of his compatriot Franjo von Allmen. This season, Franjo will most likely also finish second in the downhill standings, unless, of course, he makes serious mistakes.
Last March, the entire downhill podium in Kvitfjell was Swiss: Franjo won the race, Marco was second, and Stefan Rogentin finished third. But the races were held two weeks earlier then, and the weather was somewhat more favorable for speed events.
This was the podium in Kvitfjell a year ago
Today in Kvitfjell, it will be cloudy and fairly warm - it is currently +3°, and the temperature is expected to rise to +6° and higher during the day. After the first training session, many athletes complained that the course was soft and very slow. Most likely, conditions will be much the same today. The course in Kvitfjell is not the most difficult on the World Cup circuit, but it is fairly long - 3035 meters with a vertical drop of 838 meters.
The previous World Cup downhill, held in Courchevel in similarly warm weather, was won by Vincent Kriechmayr. There are rumors that the Austrian is considering ending his sporting career, but he has not officially announced any decision.
Photo: footage from the SRF Sport television channel; press service of the World Cup stage in Kvitfjell 12:11 21.03.26