The first of two Downhill races in Kvitfjell brought two new winner faces in the World Cup. Swiss Niels Hintermann and Canadian sensation Cameron Alexander, surprisingly shared their first Downhill victory in the World Cup. Is the first Men's Downhill joint first place since 2018 in Are when Matthias Mayer and Vincent Kriechmayr shared the first position.
Niels Hintermann claims today in Kvitjell his fourth podium in the World Cup, and his first win in Downhill. He was third twice this season in Val Gardena and Bormio Downhills.
It's his second World Cup victory after winning the Alpine Combined in Wengen in 2017.
The 26-year-old speed specialist skied a flawless Downhill, which enabled him to be faster than everyone else until Cameron's run, including favorites, Beat Feuz, Matthias Mayer, and local hero Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.
“I had a couple of intense years because of injuries but I've had a good start to the season this year. Victory fits perfectly now”, said Hintermann.
Cameron's maiden victory in the World Cup took everyone by surprise. The 24-year-old Warther started the race with start number 39 and, with an inspiring run, clinched his first World Cup victory. Until today his best result in the World Cup was the 10th position in Kvitfjell's 2020 Downhill.
“This track just suits me. I gave everything. My season was full of ups and downs, this win means everything to me. It's just crazy", said Cameron.
It's Canada's first Downhill World Cup win since Erik Guay won on the same course in 2014.
Matthias Mayer finished in third place (+0.12s). He is sitting third in the downhill standings. Mayer is still hoping to become the first Austrian winner of the men's downhill crystal globe since Klaus Kröll won it in the 2011-2012 season.
"I was expecting it to be close. This is the right starting signal for the weekend. I switched off after the Olympics, but then focused again. Looks like I managed that well. It will definitely be tight again tomorrow. Now every race counts”, said Mayer.
Beat Feuz clocks the fourth-fastest time and is now only three points behind Kilde in the Downhill standings. Feuz is a step closer to his fifth successive Downhill crystal globe. The only other skier to collect five Downhill globes is Franz Klammer.
With only two races remaining, another Downhill tomorrow in Kvitfjell, and the season-ending race in Courchevel, and after finishing in the fifth position today, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, continues to lead, with 490 points, the Downhill standings.
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