Saslong Mountain: GEPA PhOTO

Who is racing when and how to watch Val Gardena-Gröden tomorrow

Val Gardena-Gröden’s Thursday, December 15th, World Cup downhill race will occur on a shortened course will begin at the super-g start. Tomorrow’s downhill is the replacement race for the canceled event in Beaver Creek. There is no official statement, but it is reasonable to assume the decision to lower the start was made to save the energy of the supermen who will race the next five consecutive days.

The Saslong downhill is named for the majestic Dolomite mountain that rises above the course. The course offers many opportunities to leave the ground during a single run. The course favors the athletes with the best terrain skills. Additionally, on clear days the later bibs get an advantage when the sun finally rises above the Saslong mountain and provides direct sun on the very challenging Ciaslat section of the course. Traditionally if the skies are clear, the Val Gardena Gröden race offers excellent opportunities for higher start numbers. With a shortened course expect powerful skiing at the bottom of the downhill.

That said the pre-race favorite has to be Alexander Aamodt Kilde. He has won the first two downhills of the new season. Kilde has won four times in Val Gardena-Gröden; two downhill and two super-g races. His latest victory at the event was the super-g last season.

US athletes ski well on the Saslong

Historically North American athletes ski terrain exceptionally well, they like time in the air, and many run late enough to take advantage of the improving light.

Thirteen racers are representing North America. Canada has entered six, and the US seven. Combined, the two nations represent almost 20% of the field of 66.

Three Canadians have scored downhill points during the 2022-23 season. However, James Crawford experienced a recent podium appearance in Beaver Creek. Crawford’s current rank is 10th in the downhill standings. Additionally, both Brodie Seger and Jefferey Read are experiencing solid starts to their seasons. It will be no surprise if both do well.  

With four victories, the US has historically done well on the Saslong course in Val Gardena-Gröden. Last year’s winner Bryce Bennet leads this year’s US squad, but he is not the only US athlete that loves the Saslong course. Veterans Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Travis Ganong, and Jared Goldberg have an infinity for the terrain. Cochran-Siegle is currently the highest-ranking North American in the downhill standings, tied for eighth.

Bennett shares, “Even if you have a bad run there, you get to the bottom, and the only thing in your mind is, that was fun.”

Sam Morse has been skiing well, and the Saslong is the site of his only World Cup-scoring performance. Erik Arvidsson is returning to the event for the third time, and being a Team Palisades Tahoe athlete; we know he likes terrain. Both could benefit from the direct light offered to later bibs on a sunny day.

However, three-time winner Steven Nyman is conspicuously absent from the start list. Nyman has been dealing with injuries that are preventing him from being his best. Consequently, for the first time this season Kyle Negomir who recently scored his first World Cup points, in super-g, will start in his first World Cup downhill since December 2019.

North Americans on December 14th start list

• Bib 5, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
• Bib 15, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Club, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD, SWIX, ASP
• Bib 17, Bryce Bennett, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Fischer, ASP
• Bib 19, Travis Ganong, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Atomic
• Bib 21, Jared Goldberg, USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 23, Cameron Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 33, Riley Brodie, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
• Bib 36, Jeffery Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic, UVEX
• Bib 38, Sam Morse, Sugarloaf Ski Club, Carrabassett Valley Academy, Fischer, Swix, ASP
• Bib 43, Broderick Thompson, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD, Oakley
• Bib 56, Erik Arvidsson, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Middlebury College, HEAD
• Bib 60, Kyle Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 62, Kyle Negomir, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic

The race will begin at 6:00 am Eastern Time and 3:00 am on the West Coast. Remember live and full replay is available with English-speaking announcers on Ski and Snowboard Live.

The start list for Thursday, December 14th Val Gardena Gröden downhill and program

Program for the day