Cyprien Sarrazin Photo Ski & Snowboard Live

Today belongs to France’s Cyprien Sarrazin. He earned his first World Cup super-G podium, a decisive victory. He is also the first French skier in 54 years to win a World Cup speed event in Wengen.

“Today I played and I really enjoyed my run. I feel great; I am really proud,” said Sarrazin. “I pushed really hard straight on the first, straight on the second, straight on the third. You take no risk if you push at the start then I was not pushing 105 percent,” Sarrazin reflected on his run with joy.

Sarrazin took tremendous risks, applied superhuman power to clean arcs and developed considerable speed. Sarrazin pushed so hard he even touched his boot to the fence, entering the iconic Lauberhorn Kernen-S. He ran with bib three, crossed the finish line with a (-3.09), and took comfort in the finish area’s leader throne. The third racer out of the start never relinquished his lead. It has become clear that Sarrazin has the skills to challenge Swiss superstar Marco Odermatt.

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Odermatt

When bib ten Odermatt took the start, the 30,000 spectators ignited with energy. Odermatt skied brilliantly at a level few have ever been able to achieve, but today, Sarrazin was (-0.58) faster. The two men have won the last four speed events. The two stars have been first and second in the most recent three races.

“From top to bottom, he was the fastest, and he deserves it. I saw him skiing and I already thought that would be very tough to beat,” Odermatt said in the finish area.

Kilde

The next threat that Sarrizin fended off was Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. Kilde had a lead after the first two sectors, but at the finish, he was third, a full (+1.00) back. Kilde has earned six World Cup podiums this season but is searching for his first victory. Saturday will be his next opportunity.

“It’s not easy to beat either Odermatt or Sarrazin these days,” Kilde said.

The super-G podium featured the same three skiers as the Thursday downhill.

Throughout his run, Italy’s powerful Dominik Paris, the winner of the full-length downhill in Val Gardena / Gröden, threatened to stand on the podium but finished just (+0.06) behind Kilde in fourth.

Unfortunately, during his time as leader, Sarrazin had to watch his talented teammate bib seven, Alexis Pinturault, crash near the bottom of the course while landing the Silberhorn jump. There was a hold for 20 minutes while Pinturault was evacuated by helicopter.

“I think about Alexis; I hope he is OK. I enjoy the victory for him,” Sarrazin said.

Canada’s James Crawford was the second of the North Americans to race. Bib 12 had a disappointing race in Thursday’s downhill and wasn’t pleased when he finished today. However, the reigning World Champion was North America’s fastest, finishing a respectable 13th (+1.87).

The fastest Stifel US Ski Team member was Olympic silver medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle. He finished the Thursday downhill from the same start, a season-best sixth. Today in the super-G, he was 21st (+2.78) slower than Sarrazin.

Three other North Americans were among the top 30. Canada’s bib one, Jeffrey Read, finished 26th (+3.09). Also, Stifel US Ski Team’s Jared Goldberg skied into 27th (+3.10), and the last racer on the course, Bryce Bennett, finished 28th (+3.14).

The Friday Wengen super-G began from the same start as Thursday’s shortened downhill. The first few sectors, it was very similar to the downhill. Where the Lauberhorn slope widens, the super-G began to have more turns. The course was only five seconds slower than Thursday’s downhill event.

Seven racers with bibs above 30 scored points today. The fastest was Switzerland’s bib 33 Arnaud Boisset 14th (+2.20). The last to do so was Stifel US Ski Team’s Bennett. Bib 61 Bennett was the last skier to race and finished 28th. He will collect the Stifel Bibbo Award of $5000 to recognize his accomplishment.

Saturday will feature the Lauberhorn Wengen downhill from the top start.

“It’s very long days,” Odermatt said. “It was already the longest super-G and tomorrow the longest downhill. I hope the legs will be fresh enough to attack the whole race tomorrow.”

Top 30 results from the Wengen super-G and analysis of the fastest three and top 30 North Americans.

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Analysis of the fastest three and top 30 North Americans.