Men’s World Cup Downhill Showdown: Kvitfjell Preview & Sarrazin’s Injury!

Featured Image: Men’s Podium Kvitfjell downhill 2022; GEPA Photos

Who is racing, when, and how to watch the Saturday, February 17th Kvitfjell Norway men’s World Cup downhill.

The Men’s World Cup downhill is heating up as the season nears its end. Only two races remain, and the battle for the title centers on France’s Cyprien Sarrazin and Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt. Unfortunately, Sarrazin, with three wins this season, had a crash today on the Windehoken jump, ruling him out for the weekend. This gives Odermatt, who currently leads by six points, a clear opportunity to clinch the title if he wins tomorrow.

Sarrazin’s injury changes the entire dynamics of the competition, giving Odermatt a chance to likely strengthen his lead significantly. With just one race left after tomorrow, every point counts in the fight for downhill supremacy. Despite Odermatt’s advantage, alpine skiing’s unpredictable nature means anything can happen on race day. Fans should anticipate an exciting showdown as Odermatt aims to cement his dominance in downhill skiing and make his mark in World Cup downhill history.

Nations Cup

In the Nations Cup Downhill competition, Switzerland leads with 1149 points, closely followed by France with 1133 points. Italy trails behind in third place, while former powerhouse Austria sits fourth. The North American contingent, led by the Stifel US Ski Team members and independent skier Wiley Maple, ranks fifth and Canada sixth.

The upcoming Kvitfjell downhill is the racers’ final opportunity to qualify for the World Cup finals in Saalbach, Austria. Only the top 25 racers and ties and the Junior World Champion will secure invites. This significantly incentivizes competitors who are seeking a spot in the finals.

Men’s downhill Nations Cup Standings

North Americans

Bryce Bennett leads the pack among North Americans with his two podiums, ranking sixth with 207 points. His teammate, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, follows closely behind in tenth place. Canada’s Cameron Alexander, a previous winner in Kvitfjell and earning a Bormio podium this season, and James “Jack” Crawford also hold top 15 rankings, securing their spots in the World Cup finals.

One North American skier is on the cusp of qualification, Jared Goldberg, ranked 28th. Sam Morse from the Stifel US Ski Team and Maple, returning from retirement, need an exceptional performance to secure invites to Saalbach. Canadian skiers Jeffrey Read and Brodie Seger and USA’s Kyle Negomir are also in contention, but podium finishes are essential for their chances.

North Americans with 2024 Season World Cup Downhill Points

North Americans Who are Racing the Saturday, February 17th, Kvitfjell Norway Downhill

• Bib 5, Cameron Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 8, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Stifel USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Academy, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD
• Bib 9, Bryce Bennett, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Fischer, Level Gloves
• Bib 29, Jared Goldberg, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 14, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD, Level Gloves
• Bib 23, Sam Morse, Stifel USST, Carrabassett Valley Academy, Fischer, TOKO
• Bib 34, Brodie Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic, Level Gloves
• Bib 37, Jeffrey Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic, UVEX, Level Gloves
• Bib 43, Kyle Negomir, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic, Level Gloves
• Bib 48, Wiley Maple, USA Independent, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, SYNC, Atomic, Oakley
• Bib 55, Kyle Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 59, Jack Smith, Stifel USST, Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 62, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves

Sixty-two athletes representing 12 countries will race Saturday’s February 17th World Cup downhill in Kvitfjell, Norway.

With Sarrazin sidelined due to injury, the anticipation for the upcoming downhill race changes. The event in Kvitfjell holds immense significance, not only in selecting the finalists for Saalbach but also in shaping the battle for the season’s downhill champion between Odermatt and Sarrazin. Without Sarrazin in the race, Odermatt could close out his first World Cup downhill title.

About Kvitfjell

Kvitfjell, located in the municipality of Ringebu, Norway, is a leader in the skiing world. Developed for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, this resort boasts cutting-edge amenities, including snowmaking technology covering 80% of its alpine pistes. With 23 slopes appropriate for all skill levels, Kvitfjell offers a fantastic skiing experience. Situated near the tranquil river Gudbrandsdalslågen, the resort also features a terrain park and 120km of cross-country trails.

Renowned for its role in the 1994 Winter Olympics, Kvitfjell holds a special place in skiing history. It hosted the men’s and women’s alpine speed events. It witnessed unforgettable moments, like USA’s Tommy Moe’s nail-biting victory in the downhill, where he triumphed over Norway’s Kjetil André Aamodt by a mere 0.04 seconds. Meanwhile, Germany’s Katja Seizinger claimed gold in the women’s downhill, with Picabo Street of the U.S. securing a notable second place. These thrilling competitions solidified Kvitfjell’s reputation as a premier destination for alpine ski racing on the world stage.

Start Times and How to Watch

The Kvitfjell World Cup downhill starts at 12:00 CET: 6:00 am Eastern Time, 3:00 am Pacific Time on Saturday, February 17th, 2024

Viewing the Race

In the U.S., you can watch the race live and replay it on the streaming service Ski & Snowboard Live.

In Canada: CBC sports will have live streaming.

Start List and Race Program for Saturday, February 17th Kvitfjell Norway World Cup Downhill

Click on the start list and program to download

The Race Program for Saturday, February 17th Kvitfjell, Norway World Cup Downhill