In a race with narrow gaps, 71 hundredths of a second behind is a lot: Vincent Kriechmayr was accordingly ruthless in his judgment following the disappointing 17th place in yesterday’s first descent in Val Gardena. “Unfortunately I only drove the Ciaslat (section of the route; note) at 95 percent,” said the man from Gramastett following his first race of the season, which had taken place as planned on a shortened route. “I should have taken more risks,” the 32-year-old promised, attacking with anger in today’s Super-G (11.40 a.m. live on ORF 1).
Bryce Bennett was driving yesterday with the handbrake off. The American, who started the race with start number 34, made perfect use of the late sun coming out and intercepted Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (Nor/+0.02) and Marco Odermatt (Sui/+0.05). For Bennett it was his second World Cup victory; he also celebrated his first in Val Gardena in 2021. “I feel comfortable here, the place puts me in a good mood mentally,” said Bennett.
The favor of the higher numbers also went to Stefan Babinsky, who finished sixth, 36 hundredths of a second behind, and prevented an ÖSV debacle. “It didn’t go quite so well for us today, it’s a great day for me,” said the Styrian following his best World Cup result to date in the downhill. The 27-year-old had already secretly speculated that the conditions would allow for a surprise: “It’s no secret that if you have start number 30 or higher, you’ll ride down in the sun.”
Black came away empty-handed
Behind Babinsky and Kriechmayr, Daniel Hemetsberger was the third best Austrian. The 28th place for the 32-year-old from SV Unterach seemed sobering. “I’m not surprised,” Hemetsberger put it into perspective. “The snow has dried out, which doesn’t suit me. I expected it to be much wetter.” The Upper Austrian was satisfied with his ride in and of itself, he was just missing the basic speed.
Marco Schwarz (+1.12), who finished 40th without any World Cup points, paid his lesson: “I went down for the second time, for the Ciaslat you just need the experience of how to get there, where to jump to.” Overall World Cup competitor Odermatt drew level with the Carinthian leader with his 60 points yesterday.
