Kilde’s first World Cup victory in Wengen

The Swiss rocket and the Norwegian Viking were back battling it out on the hill. After placing first and second in yesterday’s super-G, Marco Odermatt (SUI) and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR), were ready to tackle the first downhill of the 2022 Audi FIS World Cup in Wengen.

Finishing with a 0.19-second lead, Kilde took the victory ahead of Odermatt, to claim his first World Cup win in Wengen. Previously Kilde’s best downhill result on the hill was third in 2019.  It was the first time Odermatt was competing in a World Cup downhill in Wengen. Given the shortened course, it was a perfect test for Odermatt.

Beat Feuz (SUI) took third place, finishing 0.30 seconds behind Kilde. The three-time downhill World Cup victor in Wengen will have another shot at victory in tomorrow’s second downhill of the weekend, which will feature the top-to-bottom start.

To reduce risk and preserve energy for the racers due to the heavy schedule, today’s start was brought down to the alpine combined start rather than the traditional downhill start. Nonetheless, tomorrow’s downhill will start at the traditional start at 12:30 CET.