Jansrud wins in front of home crowd at Kvitfjell

The Kvitfjell downhill could take place from the very top today and for the first time in 20 years, a Norwegian topped the podium as Kjetil Jansrud won, followed by Peter Fill (ITA) and Beat Feuz (SUI).

There have been seven Norwegian wins in the past six years, but none was on the original downhill Saturday since Lasse Kjus’ win in 1997. After taking over the downhill red leader bib yesterday, Jansrud was in excellent shape and was unbeatable on the Olympiabakken track today.

"I know this hill very well. It's not just home because it's in Norway, it's home because I grew up here so it's a big thing and I think the last time (a Norwegian) won on a Saturday here was Lasse (Kjus) twenty years ago, so this is a big Norwegian day. It's amazing and probably one of my biggest wins. I even won my first World Cup race here so there are a lot of good memories in Kvitfjell. Magnificent day and also grabbing a bigger lead in the red jersey, thirty three points means that if Fill wins in Aspen and I'm third then it's all gone, so it it's going to be exciting."

Jansrud’s main competition for the downhill globe finished second, only +0.08 off the pace as Fill was close but couldn't take the win.. .

"Yesterday I made a big mistake and lost the speed on the top and then it was difficult to go fast but today was a good run and all together everything worked good and I'm really happy with my second place. Now I am close to Jansrud for the big fight for the globe in Aspen. I have only one goal: to beat him there so let us see what's going to happen. I know what I need to do, full attack and when I have luck, maybe I can re-win the globe."

In third place, the World Champion from St. Moritz could lay down a strong run and grab his second podium of the regular World Cup season. The Swiss ski talent is too far back to claim the downhill globe (168 points with one race to go), but his performance could be decisive in the tight battle between Jansrud and Fill. Whatever happens in Aspen, Feuz can look back on another very successful season.

“We started from the very top today, this is definitively an advantage for me. Unfortunately I was not very good in the lower part and made a mistake in the last section, but in general it was a very good run. It has been a great season for me, especially the World Champion title in front of my home crowd was amazing, I had some struggles early season in the World Cup, but then with the podium in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and now also in Kvitfjell, I’m satisfied of my season.”