Featured Image: Marco Odermatt (SUI), Cyprien Sarrazin (FRA) and Cameron Alexander (CAN) celebrating on the Bormio downhill podium. Photo: GEPA pictures/ Mathias Mandl

With adrenaline pumping through their veins, the men kicked out of the start gate of the challenging Stelvio track in Bormio, Italy. From the summit to the base, the men had to summon unwavering determination to overcome the exhausting terrain of this intense hill. Cyprien Sarrazin of France took on the task exquisitely today, throwing down a triumphant run for his first victory in downhill! 

Sarrazin finished the season-opening downhill in Val Gardena/Gröden with his best downhill result. He finished with a solid 4th-place result, just +0.05 off the podium. With only nine World Cup downhill starts, the giant slalom specialist displayed controlled chaos as he attacked the line of the Stelvio course. Wearing bib-4, Sarrazin came through the finish line in a substantial lead, -2.91 ahead of the first three competitors. 

He stated, “This is crazy in Bromio. This is the best day of my life. I did my best run,” He continued, “I think I am a bit crazy because I enjoyed my run a lot and smiled all the way down.”

Marco Odermatt, who has been very successful through the first part of the season, came down the track looking for a win. Directly out of the start, Odermatt was on pace, showing great control through the chatter. Maintaining aero dynamics through the critical sections and the San Pietro jump, Odermatt came through just +0.09 off Sarrazin’s winning run. 

Cameron Alexander from Alpine Canada Alpin had a stellar day, coming across the finish of the demanding Stelvio in third-place. This marked Alexander’s 25th World Cup downhill start. A highlight of his career was his first downhill victory in Kvitfjell, 2022. He has finished in the top 10 five times in his World Cup career and this was his second podium. 

Vincent Kriechmayr’s run was aggressive, eager to win the race again. He was on pace through the upper section but took a different line on the middle section of the course that did not prove to be faster than the contenders before him. He battled to the finish and ended the day in 5th-place.

This course proved to be taxing for the athletes, but Sarrazin dominated the field with a confidently strong run. He stated, “

Challenges from the Giants

The course proved to be a formidable test for some of the top racers, who encountered various issues during their pursuit for the win. 

Bryce Bennett was wearing the red leader bib today after his victory in Val Gardena/Gröden. However, he had a more timid and wobbly run, costing him time throughout the course. 

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde got caught too low and couldn’t get back on the track. 

Dominik Paris who has won Bormio six times in his career, had an equal pace to Sarrazin through the top section of the course but then leaned too far in and got forced out of the course. He ended up skiing back into the course to finish the run but had lost significant time. 

Marco Schwarz experienced a high-speed crash that propelled him into the netting. Unfortunately, he required an airlift from the hill, although he displayed signs of mobility.

North Americans

James (Jack) Crawford was the second North American in the field. He is looking for consistency this season and was able to secure another top-10 finish in Bormio today in 8th-place (+2.36)

He stated before the race, “I really try to keep my mind off results and expectations. To me, success is bringing my best every time I push out of the start gate.”

The athletes from the United States battled on the Stelvio downhill track, with the standout performer being SYNC independent racer Wiley Maple. Despite his recent return from a forced retirement due to injury, Maple showcased confidence and secured an impressive 12th-place finish in the World Cup downhill event. Sporting bib-47, this marked an incredible comeback. In 2017, his highest achievement in Bormio was a 24th-place finish, making his current performance even more remarkable.

Before the race Maple stated, “I just need to trust myself and put a full run together. Confidence in racing is moving into every turn ready to attack, holding strong and creating energy through the turn. Also, keeping rhythm and patience throughout the course.”

Watching how he executed his run today unveiled that he his trusting in his skiing and feeling confident in his strength to break onto the leaderboard.

Stifel US Ski Team member Jared Goldberg was the next top athlete from the United States. He overcame a long delay to battle the chatter and was the only other US athlete in the top 30, finishing with a 28th-place result.

Unfortunately, the rest of the North American field could not find a top-30 finish. River Radamus competed in his first downhill World Cup and achieved 36th place, moving from bib-58. It was a strong result for Radamus’s inaugural run. Ryan Cochran-Siegle just missed out on World Cup points, ending in 31st place.

Tomorrow the men will return to the Stelvio track to take on the super-G!