After the cancellation of the Downhill on Friday due to adverse weather conditions, the sun was shining today for the second Downhill race in Saalbach. Thanks to the piste crew’s efforts throughout the night, a World Cup-worthy course was prepared after yesterday's snowfall, and the Zwölferkogel showed its best side on Saturday with ideal weather and conditions.
Two-time world champion Vincent Kriechmayr continue with his dominance in the speed races with another victory. He edged Beat Feuz by 0.17 seconds, while Mathias Mayer rounded out the podium 0.27 seconds behind his teammate.
Today's triumph saw him become the first downhill world champion to take the following World Cup downhill event since Franz Heinzer in 1991. It was Kriechmayr’s ninth career World Cup victory and his third in the Downhill.
"I had an awesome feeling, and I am very satisfied. It was important to find a good line and not to over-push myself. I simply skied a clean run and was able to pick up a lot of speed", Kriechmayr said.
After today's second-place Beat Feuz has finished on the podium in the last four Downhill races in the World Cup. He won both races on the Streif in Kitzbühel and finished in second place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Feuz also finished in third place in the Downhill at the World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Feuz has increased his lead at the top of the downhill standings rankings to 68 points as he seeks a fourth consecutive discipline title.
"It was tricky against Vincent today, but I gave it a go. The piste was great to ski and it was fun", Feuz said.
Matthias Mayer is currently ranked second in the Men's Downhill standings this World Cup season. He is hoping to become the first Austrian man to win the downhill crystal globe since Klaus Kröll in 2011-2012. Mayer finished on the podium in each of the last five World Cup Downhill events, including a win in Bormio.
"It was a super race for me today. Vincent and Beat had a perfect run. I gave it my best shot, but they were faster. There is still one race to go. Theoretically, it is still possible for me to win the Downhill World Cup, but you can basically congratulate Beat already", Mayer said.
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