Kilde Dominates In Wengen
Kilde grabs his second super-G win of the season. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde risked it all and won it all down Wengen’s famous Lauberhorn on Friday morning.
Out last of the top 15 seeds, the racer affectionally known as the Viking knew exactly what he needed to do to triumph in one of the most famous super-G races on the Audi FIS World Cup Tour: beat the field and break the hearts of the thousands of Swiss fans.
Not only had great rival Marco Odermatt got the cowbells ringing with a typically accomplished performance but in a big and enthusiastically received surprise, Odermatt’s compatriot Stefan Rogentin had gone even quicker.
The 28-year-old arrived at his hometown blue riband event with a best ever result of fifth in his 75 World Cup starts. But after recording the quickest time in downhill practice – ahead of Saturday’s much anticipated World Cup race – Rogentin flew.
Tight and on-point down all the Lauberhorn’s renowned sections, the Swiss man pipped in-form Odermatt – winner of two of the three previous World Cup super-Gs this season – and set the stiffest of targets at 1:48.11.
But far from concerning Kilde, it simply seemed to set him free.
“From the start I pushed as hard as I could and into Brüggli-S (more commonly known now as the Kernen-S) on the limit, but that’s how it is sometimes,” a delighted Kilde said with a laugh in the finish area.
His efforts in the Kernen-S, the consecutive right-left 90-degree turns, were indicative of a truly great run. The reigning World Cup super-G champion made a big mistake coming in and almost had a hip down, but he is so powerful, he managed to not only hold on but record one of the quickest exit times.
It was the sort of move that prompted everyone from rival Vincent Kriechmayr to girlfriend Mikaela Shiffrin to express their admiration for a racer who seems to know very few limits.
“The three in front of me were insane of course. Aleks was pushing every metre,” said Kriechmayr, who ended in fourth after one mistake too many on the frighteningly quick top section.
Green lights on every split, Kilde induced more gasps of awe with his efforts down the Haneggschuss, Lauberhorn’s legendary pitch where top speeds approach 160kmph. In his tuck longer than anyone, Kilde held on to triumph by 0.27 seconds for his second win of the season.
“On the limit, that’s how we have to do it in super-G and sometimes it works and sometimes not,” Kilde said, still smiling.
Second place certainly made Rogentin smile too. Rogentin recorded his first ever World Cup podium in Wengen
“Special day for me, amazing feeling. It couldn’t be better,” the Swiss racer said. “That’s so special, my first podium and to share it with Oddie (Odermatt), that’s perfect.”
The third place means it is a highly impressive two wins, a second place and that third from the four super-G World Cup races so far for Odermatt. But the racer, who holds on to a narrow lead at the top of the season super-G standings, insisted his smiles were predominantly for his teammate.
“I am more happy for him than for me I guess, it’s so nice to see him the first time on the podium,” Odermatt said. “He is so fast in training for years already and that he managed to do it now the first time here in Wengen, the most special race for the Swiss team, it’s very nice for him.”
The Swiss man, who is also battling Kilde atop the race for the 2023 overall title, acknowledged he has some homework to do, ahead of the big race on Saturday.
“Aleks had an incredible run, especially on the top. I have to watch his run and try to do it like him tomorrow.”
Conditions are set perfectly for one of the most anticipated downhill races of every year, with the Swiss crowd poised to go particularly wild for local hero Beat Feuz.
The reigning Olympic downhill champion races for the final time on home snow on Saturday and he showed he will not go quietly, recording his best super-G finish of the season with seventh.
But the final word goes to Mauro Caviezel. After a fine career, including the super-G World Cup title in 2020, the 34-year-old Swiss man took the opportunity to announce his retirement in front of his appreciative home fans.
On Saturday Kilde (NOR) put together a perfect run down the Lauberhorn (Agence Zoom).
The big names showed up in Wengen for one of the most famous races on the Audi FIS World Cup tour. The 93rd time the world’s best have taken on the Lauberhorn track. The classic course was a mile shorter than usual, but the extra pressure proved no problem for Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR).
The Norwegian put together a graceful combination of finesse and power to soar past the field for victory on the downhill in Wengen.
“I felt like I had good speed out of the tunnel and knew I had a chance. If I came down with green numbers, then it was a good sign. It is working well with my equipment and skiing. I can keep working on that and gain more confidence,” said Kilde.
The win gives Kilde the Wengen double this weekend after winning the super-G on Friday. It is also the 10th downhill and 19th overall World Cup win for the reigning downhill champion.
Kilde’s strong run to lead the podium gives him 37 career podiums and eight on the season.
Marco Odermatt (SUI) continues to push Kilde for the downhill crown. The Swiss skier could not capture his first downhill World Cup victory on home soil as he settled for second.
The overall leader raced through the course with the home crowd roaring in the background, but a couple unclean turns kept Odermatt 0.88 off Kilde’s pace.
“Alex (Kilde) was once again incredible and by far the best today, so I am happy with the place. I can find two or three tenths but not 0.88 so he deserved the win, and I will have to work harder,” said Odermatt.
It is already the 13th podium of the season for the sensational Swiss youngster, who has led the overall standings all season long and extends his lead.
Behind the two men dominating the season so far, Mattia Casse (ITA) put together a powerful early run from bib number three to finish third.
“I started very strong and to get a podium here is incredible. I am very, very happy,” said Casse.
It is the just the second career podium for the Italian veteran after placing third earlier this season in the downhill at Val Gardena.
He knows he has a long way to go to catch the likes of Kilde.
“Right now, it is too much. Step by step I will go fast and try to compete with him,” laughed Casse.
Beat Feuz (SUI) soars through the air in his final race on home soil (Agence Zoom)
In fourth, Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) just missed the podium by 0.14 seconds after a bold run cutting through a few gates.
The massive 30,000 strong crowd had plenty to cheer for with five Swiss skiers in the top ten.
None drew a stronger applause than the legend Beat Feuz (SUI) who finished fifth. Feuz missed the chance at his 60th career podium but went for it all in his final race on his home soil. He was greeted with a curtain call amidst a sea of Swiss flags at the bottom of the hill as his family looked on. The veteran has won the Wengen downhill three times in his decorated career. Feuz will hang up the skis after next weekend’s races in Kitzbühel.
