Moeller wins first World Cup as new generation stamps their mark in Bormio

Fredrik Moeller (NOR/Atomic) secured the first Audi FIS World Cup victory of his career by winning the men's Super G on a difficult Bormio course on Sunday.

Moeller had finished fourth in both of the opening two Super G races of the season, but navigated a bumpy track and its technical turns superbly to record a time of 1:29.22 in bib number four to set up a "terrifying" wait to find out if it was enough.

The first run of the day had seen a big crash from Gino Caviezel (SUI/Atomic) which delayed proceedings significantly, and also may have had a lasting effect on some of the subsequent skiers who appeared to take on the hill with slightly more caution.

It meant Moeller was rewarded for an aggressive, clean run which delivered a place on a World Cup podium for the first time in the 24-year-old's career.

"It feels really good," Moeller told FIS.

"My skiing was obviously good. It felt like I had some mistakes, which I did, but they weren't that costly. I managed to ski well where I know I can, and not do anything stupid.

"I had two good Super G races before this. I knew my speed was good and the skis felt good - boots, everything - so I knew I could just ski the way I know."

'It was a crazy weekend'

Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT/Head) finished second after putting down a run that was two tenths of a second slower than Moeller, with the Austrian doing just enough to hold off the chasing pack of Swiss skiers who rounded off another good weekend for their team.

"A podium is always nice, it was my goal to be on the podium today," Kriechmayr said.

"The young Norwegian was pretty good so congratulations to him. Today was nearly my best skiing this year but of course some turns weren't good enough to beat him.

“I'm happy with second place and I'm looking forward to the upcoming races."

Swiss skiers took third, fourth, fifth and sixth as Alexis Monney (SUI/Stöckli) backed up his Downhill victory the previous day with a third-place finish on Sunday, finishing ahead of compatriots Stefan Rogentin (SUI/Fischer), Marco Odermatt (SUI/Stöckli) and Franjo Von Allmen (SUI/Head).

It was the culmination of a good return for Team Switzerland in Bormio, who had taken two podium places on Saturday on a day in which they also ended with four skiers in the top six.

"I don't know what to say, it was a crazy weekend," said Monney, who had never been on a podium before Saturday.

"It's a big step. The season start was like that for me but I always made a mistake and lost a lot of time but now yesterday and today was really nice."

'Always on the limit'

Odermatt's finish of fifth was still enough to hold onto top spot in the Super G standings as well as the Overall standings, but there are signs that the next generation is on the way as the two winners over the weekend are both just 24 years old.

"Incredible. I'm 33 years old, and they keep pushing all the time," said Kriechmayr of the young skiers.

"Also the Swiss guys and some Italian guys - also from Austria we have some young guys coming up.

"They are always on the limit. Now I think you have to be one hundred per cent from top to bottom, and if you're not searching for the limit you're not able to beat them.

“It's good to know what I have to do, but it's incredible what they are doing now."

Odermatt paid tribute to his countrymen who managed to oust him from the podium on both days.

“They ski so well. They deserve everything that comes to them,” the Stöckli skier said.

“I'm really happy to be a part of their success a little bit, but they did it by themselves. I'm very grateful to have such strong team-mates."

For his part, Moeller is hoping that Sunday’s showing is just the beginning for him in what will be a highly competitive 2025.

"The Swiss guys are always there, it's cool to keep them behind me for at least one day,” the Atomic athlete said. “I'll try to do that the whole season.”