After his fabulous ride the day before, the Frenchman went one better on Saturday and won the downhill classic on the Streif with a lead of 0.91 seconds over the Swiss Marco Odermatt.
The four-time Kitz winner Dominik Paris (+1.44) from Italy came third, while Stefan Babinsky narrowly missed the podium in fourth place (+1.69). Last year’s winner Vincent Kriechmayr (+1.73) was sixth following 30 runners.
Sarrazin imitates Alphand
The winning time was 1:52.96 minutes for Sarrazin, who with start number 8 made a daring run into the snow without taking any losses into account and left everyone speechless. The 29-year-old became the second Frenchman following Luc Alphand, who won in 1995 and 1997, to achieve a downhill double in the Mecca of Alpine skiing. This was only the 14th World Cup downhill for the former giant slalom specialist.
Odermatt had already driven it down boldly right before Sarrazin, but the Swiss’s best time was put to rest less than two minutes later. At the finish, Sarrazin, in a rush of adrenaline, took off his skis, climbed onto the air-cushioned barrier and celebrated like a world champion. Numerous ski legends, high-profile guests from politics and business and other celebrities gave the appropriate applause in postcard weather.
Picture gallery: Jump on the boards: Double Kitz winner Cyprien Sarrazin cheered so enthusiastically
Cyprien Sarrazin Kitzbühel (Photo: GEPA pictures/ Hans Oberlaender (GEPA pictures)) Bild 1/8
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Kriechmayr: “The trip at the top really failed”
Vincent Kriechmayr from Mühlviertel lost his chance of a podium place in the upper section of the route and with the crossing. “I really failed at the top,” said the veteran. “Seven tenths behind on the steep slope exit is far too much, you can’t compete anymore.” In the traverse he was completely overwhelmed, “I had to fight to stay in it.” But at least “the speed is back.”
Hemetsberger with knee pain
Daniel Hemetsberger from Nußdorf, who had no points the day before following a serious mistake, rehabilitated himself and was currently just outside the top ten, +2.30 behind. “The problem is still that I can’t go full throttle because my knee always hurts so much at the start,” explained the Upper Austrian. Daniel Danklmaier (+2.60) and Otmar Striedinger (+2.98) ended up far from the top spots.
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Picture gallery: Legendary white sausage party at Stanglwirt
Melissa Naschenweng (Photo: BARBARA GINDL (APA)) Bild 1/24
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