A Stunning Upset at downhill-cup/” title=”Ski: Adur Etxezarreta's historic silver in the European Downhill Cup”>Kvitfjell: Hintermann and Alexander Share Downhill Lead
Teh Kvitfjell downhill witnessed a thrilling turn of events as Niels Hintermann and Cameron Alexander defied expectations to share the top spot.
Hintermann, the 26-year-old Swiss skier, set the initial benchmark, starting with bib number 17. He dethroned the seemingly unassailable leaders, Mattias Mayer (+0.12 seconds) and Beat Feuz (+0.19 seconds), to claim the provisional lead.
But the true shockwave arrived nearly an hour later. Cameron Alexander, starting from a distant 39th position, delivered a breathtaking performance to match Hintermann’s time, creating a tie at the summit. This remarkable feat marked a career-best for the 24-year-old Canadian, whose previous best World Cup downhill result was a tenth-place finish on the same Kvitfjell track in 2020.While Alexander’s achievement was unexpected, Hintermann’s victory wasn’t entirely out of the blue. The Swiss skier, a former World Cup combined champion from Wengen in 2017, had already demonstrated his prowess in speed events this season, securing two third-place finishes in Val gardena and Bormio.
Clarey Leads French Charge, Eyes on Finals Qualification
Johan Clarey, the lone Frenchman in the top ten, secured a commendable sixth place, earning valuable points in the tightly contested downhill standings.
The battle for the downhill crystal globe is heating up. Aleksander Aamodt kilde maintains a slender three-point lead over Beat Feuz, with Matthias Mayer trailing by 28 points. With only two races remaining, the final showdown promises to be intense, starting with the second race at kvitfjell on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.Clarey, the Olympic silver medalist in downhill, finished 0.57 seconds behind the leading duo and narrowly missed out on a podium finish by 0.38 seconds. He was joined by fellow Frenchmen matthieu Bailet (19th), Maxence Muzaton (21st), and Sam Alphand (23rd).Blaise Giezendanner, however, struggled to find his rhythm, finishing 27th and slipping to 28th in the overall standings.
both Giezendanner and Bailet are now in a precarious position, needing strong performances in the upcoming races to secure a coveted spot among the top 25 skiers who will qualify for the Courchevel-Méribel finals in ten days.
Downhill Drama at Kvitfjell: A Chat with Former Olympian
The thrilling tie atop the podium at Kvitfjell has sent shockwaves thru the skiing world. to unpack this astonishing finish and discuss its implications for the downhill crystal globe race, we’re joined by former Olympic downhill skier and current commentator, Rebecca Barrington.
Welcome, Rebecca!
Rebecca: Thanks for having me! This Kvitfjell race was arguably one of the most exciting we’ve seen this season.
It certainly was! Neither Niels Hintermann nor cameron Alexander were expected to be sharing the top spot. What were your thoughts on their performances?
Rebecca: Absolutely. Hintermann, while a proven talent in speed events, defied expectations by knocking down stalwarts like Mattias Mayer and Beat Feuz. But Alexander, wow! His run out of bib 39 was nothing short of remarkable. To go from a tenth-place finish in 2020 to topping the podium two decades later is a testament to his dedication and raw talent.
Do you think alexander’s stunning performance puts him in contention for the crystal globe?
Rebecca: Well, while we can’t discount his victory, I think its still a long shot for Alexander. The crunch time is here, and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has a three-point lead over Feuz and a considerable margin over Mayer. With only two downhill races remaining, consistency and experience will be key for Kilde, Feuz, and Mayer.
Speaking of experience, Johan Clarey’s sixth-place finish is noteworthy, especially for the French team. What are your thoughts on his performance and the French downhill contingent as a whole?
Rebecca: Clarey’s finish is a huge boost for France. He’s a battler and always a threat on the slopes. I’m a bit disappointed for Blaise Giezendanner, though, as he’s in a tough fight to secure a spot in the finals. He needs to turn things around quickly in the upcoming races.
It’s true, the race for the finals is heating up. How vital is it for skiers like Giezendanner and Bailet to qualify for Courchevel-Méribel?
Rebecca: it’s absolutely crucial. The finals represent the pinnacle of the season, and a chance to compete against the world’s best on a global stage. It’s also a great prospect to gain valuable FIS points and potentially earn valuable sponsorships. For younger skiers like Bailet, it’s a chance to gain vital experience at the highest level.
Looking ahead to the final two downhill races, what can we expect?
Rebecca: I anticipate a nail-biting finish! Kilde, Feuz, and mayer will be pushing each other to the limit. Don’t count out Hintermann and Alexander either. They’ve shown they can compete with the best, and a victory could shake up the standings.
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What are your thoughts on the Kvitfjell downhill and the drama unfolding in the crystal globe race? Share your predictions for the final two races in the comments below.
