American Bennett steals victory from Kilde for second Saslong Downhill triumph

Norwegian downhill king Aleksander Aamodt Kilde sat confidently in the leaders’ chair after nipping Marco Odermatt by .02 seconds as the 10th racer down the renowned Saslong piste. A record-tying fourth downhill victory on the Italian Dolomites track in Val Gardena/Groeden seemed imminent.

It also appeared that the first downhill race of the 2023/24 Audi FIS World Cup season – after four unfortunate cancellations – would go into the books as yet another classic 1-2 finish between the Swiss and Norwegian rivals.

But then bib No. 34, American Bryce Bennett – who conquered the Saslong piste two years ago for his first and only World Cup downhill win – ripped down the Italian Dolomites piste and shockingly stole the victory from the Norwegian viking.

“I did not expect the green light – I wanted to put down a run that I was going to be proud of and I left everything on the hill,” Bennett said, after his second career World Cup triumph. "I knew I had to take risk in two spots, but there is the chance to lose speed. And if you lose speed here, you'll never get it back.

“I’m super excited to start the season like this – first downhill of the season!”

Bennett – who struggled all of last season failing to record a top-ten finish – laid down a stellar run from late in the pack to surprise pre-race favorite Kilde by a narrow .03 seconds. The tall, lanky, 31-year-old Californian once again skillfully used his long legs like pistons through the minefield of jumps known as the Ciaslat section.

“I woke up this morning and I had to let all of the doubt that has been following me this past period – I just need to ski free and do a run that I know I’m capable of and trust myself and it worked,” Bennett said.

Trailing by .09 at the final split, Bennett gained the final tenth with a perfect flight off the Tunnel Jump, riding his speed to victory. His time on the fourth and final sector was tops among the field and 0.12 faster than Kilde. Bennett’s winning time on a shortened course was 1:23.80.

Near misses as Kilde and Odermatt continue their battle

With what would have been his fourth downhill victory on the Saslong piste, equaling the record shared by Austrian Franz Klammer and Italian Kristian Ghedina, Kilde settled for second. Odermatt – the 2023 world downhill champion – who is still seeking his first World Cup downhill win, ended third, .05 second behind Bennett.

“I didn’t ski well enough to win, but I was very, very close,” said Kilde, the two-time defending downhill champion. “That’s how ski racing goes and that’s why we love it,” he said about the close call.

“I could have skied a little better in parts, but I feel like it’s all going well,” the Norwegian added. “Tomorrow is another race.”

Odermatt, who took to the course with bib No. 6, was supple and loose on his skis as usual, but it wasn’t quite enough. The Swiss two-time overall World Cup champion took risk with a highly aggressive line through the Ciaslat section, pushing his limit and nearly losing control.

The third-place result follows his dominant GS victory in Val d’Isere last week.

“I’m very happy with my race – I was close with Alex and maybe one day I can beat him,” Odermatt said, about his rival and before Bennett stole victory.

The Swiss star praised the course, on what was a bluebird day in the Italian Dolomites.

“From the inspection on, I saw that the snow is amazing and even if it isn’t my best downhill here, I really love to ski here,” Odermatt said. “It’s so cool here with a good atmosphere and really nice slope, so I really enjoyed it.”

Top Notch Conditions on the Saslong

The “sprint” downhill on was contested from the lower super-G start, a reduction of roughly 1,000 meters, for safety reasons. It was a make-up race replacing the one of the cancelled Zermatt-Cervinia races last month.

Racers took advantage of sunny skies and a fast, well-prepared track, albeit navigating a touch of soft snow on top of the surface.

Course workers did a diligent job preparing the Saslong piste following a wintry mix of precipitation in the lead-up to Thursday’s race. Wednesday’s scheduled second training run was cancelled for work on the course.

U.S. success in the Italian Dolomites; A vacation to Mexico?

Bennett continues an American track record of tremendous success on the Saslong piste, with his second career victory in Val Gardena/Groeden on Thursday. Bennett’s former teammate Steven Nyman has won three downhills on the Italian track in 2006, 2012 and 2014. Bode Miller has attained four podiums, including a super-G victory in 2006.

Both Bennett and Nyman, as well as Italy’s Ghedina have attained their victories at the Italian Dolomites resort with the help of legendary serviceman Leo Mussi.

“When I put on my skis today I knew they would be fast – thanks to Leo, what does he have eight wins here now,” Bennett said about his ski tech.

Bennett commands the early lead in the 2023/24 World Cup downhill standing with 100 points for the win. Kilde, 20 points behind after the opening race, is seeking his third consecutive World Cup downhill title.

No male American ski racer has ever won a season downhill title.

“If I ever win the downhill globe, you will never see me ever again. I am boots off in the finish on a plane – fishing boat in Mexico,” said the jovial American ski racer with a huge smile.

Bennett will now sport the red downhill leaders’ bib in Saturday’s race.

Action continues in Val Gardena/Groeden with a super-G scheduled for Friday, followed by the official Saslong downhill on Saturday.