Ski star Odermatt also wins the sprint downhill in Val Gardena

The Swiss superstar Odermatt was once again the most determined of all. The lead over his teammate Franjo Von Allmenwhich he took out in the upper part of the descent, he didn’t let go until the finish. “It’s a shitty feeling,” said the young colleague jokingly about the fact that as the leader you are often overtaken by Odermatt.

Downhill world champion Von Allmen, who started the race with shin splints, took second place with a strong line.

The last Val Gardena downhill winner in Italian dress, Dominik Pariscame within 4 hundredths of the Swiss and took third place. A declaration of war for the downhill classic on Saturday.

The best Austrian was 13th. Stefan Babinsky. “I would like to not be the best Austrian with the result,” he said with a certain disappointment. After the fall in training, he was at least somewhat satisfied with his own performance. “It absolutely makes you want more.”

Daniel Hemetsbergerwho had been second behind Odermatt in training, ended up in 16th place. In the Ciaslat he lost time and speed. “I should have risked a little more,” he suspected after the race.

In the end the field was rolled up a little from behind due to the track becoming faster as the temperatures dropped. ÖSV runner Stefan Rieser With start number 49, he moved into 17th place, directly behind Hemetsberger.

At Vincent Kriechmayr Although at first glance there were few mistakes, the Upper Austrian was simply too slow for the top positions today and crossed the finish line almost a second late and ended up 24th. “I didn’t get the entry and exit of the Ciaslat right,” he said after the race. But he “still has a chance tomorrow and the day after.”

“The weather gods weren’t on my side,” said Otmar Striedingerwho ended up falling out of the World Cup points, as well Raphael Haaser and Vincent Wieser. “It obviously annoys me that they let me down,” said Striedinger a little annoyed. After him came the start-stop.

Emotional returnees

Delivered special moments Aleksander Aamodt Sourcebut also Max Franz. At the finish you can often see that Kilde still has a few minutes left in the race. The Norwegian is slowly getting back to his World Cup form, but it’s still taking some time.

Max Franz, who had been injured for a long time, initially made his comeback as a precursor. After the race he was relieved about this step. “It’s something different than training: starting house, stadium, the other jumps,” he said. “The tingling sensation is there. It feels right.” Franz is hoping to start the race on Saturday.

On Friday we’ll be in Val Gardena Super-G continue (11:45 a.m./live ORF 1), on Saturday with the Downhill classic (11:45 a.m./live ORF 1).