Niels Hintermann's Shocking Victory in Kvitfjell

2024-02-17 12:33:36

Departure

For once Odermatt is not on the podium: Niels Hintermann wins the downhill in Kvitfjell

Niels Hintermann from Zurich takes his second World Cup victory in Kvitfjell, Norway. He also outpaces the favorites Marco Odermatt and Dominik Paris and now seems to have overcome his mental low after Garmisch.

For Niels Hintermann it is the first win of the season.

Bild: Alessandra Tarantino/AP

“After Garmisch I reached a low point,” said Niels Hintermann after his trip to Kvitfjell. The season so far for the 28-year-old from Zurich has been average. Not great, but not bad either. He described his season as tough. The best result was eighth place in Wengen. Until now.

Niels Hintermann already showed a best time in Norway during training. By the time the race was over, it was clear to everyone: the slopes in Kvitfjell suited him perfectly. Although he lost a little time in the last section, he still came first with a lead of eight hundredths and took his second World Cup victory. Behind him were Vincent Kriechmayr and Cameron Alexander.

“I fought brutally, even with the line,” he told SRF. A few times he was somewhere completely different from where he actually intended. In the end it was still enough to take the lead and later win: “I was very surprised when the number one lit up.”

The Zurich man flew through the Norwegian runway.

Image: Stian Lysberg Solum/EPA

Odermatt extends his lead in the discipline rankings

All the other favorites couldn’t keep up with Hintermann. Marco Odermatt, who currently leads the discipline ranking in the downhill, finished seventh. “A lot can happen in Kvitfjell,” he said at the finish. The man from Nidwalden was satisfied with his trip. Even Dominik Paris couldn’t shake Hintermann’s leader’s chair. The South Tyrolean landed in the snow after a jump, was finally able to catch himself, but crossed the finish line too far behind.

Among the remaining Swiss, Franjo von Allmen once again showed a top performance. The 22-year-old finished in fifth place. Josua Mettler (9th), Justin Murisier (16th), Stefan Rogentin (21st), Arnaud Boisset (24th) and Alexis Monney (26th) also scored points. Ralph Weber finished his 100th World Cup and also his last race in 43rd place. He announced his resignation on Friday.

For Ralph Weber it was the last race of his active career.

Bild: Gabriele Facciotti/AP

The other downhill favorite and currently Marco Odermatt’s biggest competitor was not at the start. The Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin injured his calf during training and had to miss the race. Marco Odermatt would have won the small ball if he had won. But with his seventh place he can further extend his lead.

Marco Odermatt came seventh in Norway.

Bild: Alessandra Tarantino/AP

Odermatt is currently leading Sarrazin with 42 points for the small ball victory. The decisive and final descent of the season will take place at the World Cup final in Saalbach.