Jansrud leads and Goldberg sits third after downhill leg of combined

By Published On: February 8th, 2015Comments Off on Jansrud leads and Goldberg sits third after downhill leg of combined

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. – After smoking the third fastest downhill run in today’s World Championship alpine combined, American Jared Goldberg said it was likely the best downhill run of his life — if not, definitely the most fun.

“It was a hell of a ride,” said Goldberg, who finished the season’s other two combined races in the top 20 after good performances in the speed legs. “Anything can happen. I didn’t really ski the way I wanted to yesterday. Today I really tightened the line. I was able to be more aggressive, taking out gates and stuff.”

Goldberg sits behind Kjetil Jansrud and Beat Feuz after the downhill, which was held on the full-length Birds of Prey course. But the technicians are in the hunt, especially Alexis Pinturault, who will have to make up 2.64 seconds on speed specialist Jansrud. Marcel Hirscher finished the downhill 31st on paper, but due to a disqualification, made the flip and will run first in the slalom.

Ondrej Bank in the downhill leg. GEPA

Ondrej Bank in the downhill leg. GEPA

The Czech Republic’s Ondrej Bank accounted for that disqualification after he caught an edge and launched off the Red Tail Jump on only one ski. He suffered a horrifying crash in which he cut his face and silenced the crowd as he slid across the finish line. Bank was transported to the Vail Valley Medical Center where he underwent treatment for a concussion and other suspected injuries.

The crash caused a lengthy delay on the course, after which Ted Ligety and Pinturault were the next two starters. Ligety was slow on the gliding sections and took issue with the fact that slippers were sent down the course after the delay under sunny skies.

“I skied horrible,” said Ligety. “I didn’t really make any mistakes. I just skied horrible.”

The slalom leg of the alpine combined is scheduled to start at 2:15 p.m. MT.

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About the Author: Geoff Mintz

Geoff Mintz is a former alpine ski racer who cut his teeth at Ragged Mountain and Waterville Valley, N.H. After graduating from Holderness and UVM, he relocated to Colorado, where he worked on the hill prior to pursuing a career in journalism. Mintz served as associate editor for Ski Racing Media from 2011 to 2015. He later reconnected with his local roots to manage all marketing and communications for Ski & Snowboard Club Vail before resuming work at SRM as editor-in-chief.