French Triumph on the Streif: Cyprien Sarrazin Conquers Kitzbühel’s Legendary Downhill

France’s Cyprien Sarrazin has won his second career World Cup downhill; this time, it is in Kitzbühel on the Streif. This season, he has delivered victories on the two most frightening downhills on the circuit. His career’s first victory was on the Stelvio in Bormio, and now he assures he is among the legends by winning from the top in Kitzbühel.

“It was not the perfect run, not an amazing run, but I finished with my heart. I knew that I did some mistakes, I had to finish really fast. That’s what I did,” Sarrazin said.

To compete well a racer must ski well and with strength while experiencing significant fear when descending the Streif. There will be moments that require very high-speed adjustments to stay on your feet, and the consequences of failure can be severe. When you win in Kitzbühel, you will always have the respect of your peers. Today, Sarrazin has shown that his best is as good as anyone’s.

“My last time here, I crashed into the nets, and this time, when I crossed the finish, I thought this was a victory for me,” Sarrazin said. “I didn’t feel really good at the top, but at the bottom, I was physically really good, and I said ‘push, push’ to the finish line.”

The first World Cup winner in Kitzbühel was France’s Jean-Claude Killy in 1967. The last French racer to finish first in a Kitzbuuhel downhill was three-time winner Luc Alphand in 1997. Today, a French skier wins skiing on French skis.

“He is spreading joy, he’s spreading happiness, and first of all, I’m happy for him – he deserved it,” Alphand said. “For French skiing, this is a fantastic day and I’m happy to give him the torch.”

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Completing the podium

Sarrazin captured the lead from Italy’s Florian Schieder. Schieder delivered his best run of the season and skied with the commitment and determination the Streif requires. Schieder’s only other World Cup podium came last season in the first of two Streif downhills. For the second time in two years, he has shown he has what it takes to stand on a Kitzbühel podium.

“I always come here with a smile in the start gate – I’m always happy to be here and let’s see what I can do tomorrow,” Schieder said. “Of course, it is easier to ski well after a good result. 

Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, bib 10 was the prerace favorite. He arrived in Kitzbühle fresh off his first career World Cup victories in Wengen. He skied at the very edge of his ability and certainly had moments that garnered his attention and undoubtedly were not his usual perfection.

When he crossed the finish with a slight lead and then immediately saw Stifel US Ski Teams Ryan Cochran-Siegle finish just (+0.07) behind him, he must have known his run was vulnerable. The second racer to finish after him was Italian Florian Schieder, who confirmed his suspicions by finishing (-0.29) ahead of the Swiss superstar. However, tomorrow will be another chance for the world’s best to become a Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm downhill winner.

Odermatt said, “It wasn’t my best run of the season, but I am very happy with a podium here,” Odermatte said. If you don’t show your best skiing in Kitzbuehel, then you can’t win here, but it’s alright, I guess. “

North American success

The fourth athlete to race the Streif on Friday was the Canadian World Championship bronze medalist Cameron Alexander. He skied with determination and skill the entire course and crossed into the finish with a (+0.90) lead.

Alexander is not a stranger to the World Cup podium and has won in Kvitfjell, Norway, in 2022. So when he sits in the leader’s chair, his competitors know it will take something special to take his place. He held the lead until Odermatt crossed the finish (-0.12) faster.

The second North American to race was Cochran-Siegle. He finished (-0.11) faster than Alexander but with Odermatt already in the finish. Cohran-Siegle was 2nd, only (+0.01), to the Swiss star Odermatt. He finishes 4th (+0.35). This is the third Cochran-Siegle top ten in the last three downhill races. Also, his best Kitzbühel downhill prior to today was 20th in the 2023 season. He shows that he is ready to stand on another podium soon.

Cochran-Siegle said, “My focus today was just trying to make the best turns I could, and honestly, crossing the finish line, I had no idea what was going to happen. I think gave it my best. It was cool being so close to Marco.”

Undoubtedly, Cochran-Siegle and Alexander will push even harder on Saturday, attempting to earn a podium in tomorrow’s Hahnenkamm downhill, with the knowledge that anything is possible.

Other North Americans earning points

Stifel US Ski Team member Sam Morse was the third fastest North American. Morse scored his first 2024 season downhill points last week in the two Wengen races. Today, he delivered his best downhill of the season. Morse finishes the day 18th (+1.49). This is his first time completing a Kitzbühel downhill in the points.

Morse “Moose” said while waiting for the race to finish, ” I am stoked. When you can kick out of the gate on the Streif with full confidence and execute your plan. I am still probably on track for a season’s best result and really, really stoked.”

The other North Americans who finished fastest enough to score were Canadian James “Jack” Crawford, tied 23rd (+1.75), and Stifel US Ski Team’s season’s best-ranked downhiller, Bryce Bennett, in 24th (+1.77). The Canadian Jeffrey Read earned his first Kitzbühel Streif World Cup points, finishing tied 27th (+2.00) on a course his dad won on in 1980.

Late starters succeed

Nine racers with bibs above 30 could ski into the points. The fastest was bib 53 Switzerland’s Arnaud Boisset, 9th (+1.15). The last to do so was the final racer of the day, bib 57 Austrian’s Raphael Haaser 26th (+1.82). Notably, today was Boisset’s seventh World Cup race. The time separation from first to thirtieth was (+2.08).

In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Cyprien Sarrazin secured his second World Cup downhill victory on Kitzbühel’s formidable Streif. Today’s triumph echoes the legacy of past champions, marking Sarrazin among the sport’s legends. With notable performances from other racers, including North Americans like Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Cameron Alexander, the stage is set for an exciting Hahnenkamm downhill tomorrow. The relentless pursuit of podium glory continues, proving that anything is possible in alpine skiing.

“Everything is possible, no limits,” Sarrazin said when asked about winning Saturday.

Top 30 Friday Kitzbühel downhill results and Analysis of the fastest three and top 30 North Americans

Analysis of the fastest three and top 30 North Americans