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

Val Gardena-Gröden’s Saturday, December 17th, World Cup downhill race will occur on the full-length course. Due to today’s super-G cancelation, it will also be the 100th World Cup race in Val Gardena. Since it is a weekend, you can expect an authentic Italian festival atmosphere. 

The Saslong downhill is named for the majestic Dolomite mountain that rises above the course. The course likely offers the most opportunities to leave the ground on the World Cup. The course has always favored 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. However, the bottom will be a different challenge from Thursday, with the additional time on the course fatiguing the racer’s legs. 

That said, the pre-race favorite has to be Alexander Aamodt Kilde. He has won the first two downhills of the new season and will be hungry to exact revenge for his Thursday race. 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. 

After Thursday, it is clear that you don’t become the best overall skier in the world without being excellent in terrain. The Swiss ace Marco Odermatt was able to land on the podium the first time he raced the course. 

US athletes ski well on the Saslong

Historically North American athletes ski terrain exceptionally well, like time in the air, and many of them 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 20% of the field of 65.

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 eighth 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.  

Thursday saw five US men score World Cup points, don’t miss the chance to cheer them onto six or seven. 

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 the highest-ranking USA male athlete in the season’s downhill standings, in 9th. 

However, it appears that Sam Morse is also in love with the course. Sam finished the best of the US skiers Thursday, finishing 10th. Morse’s World Cup scoring races have all been in Val Gardena-Gröden on the Saslong. 

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. 

Kyle Negomir has earned his second downhill start of the season. Kyle is confident and capable, so don’t be surprised if he is a part of the attack from the back. 

Three-time Saslong winner Steve Nyman is still missing from the start list. Now it is hoped he will be able to be ready for Bormio. There isn’t a track where Nyman hasn’t had good results, so anywhere is good for him if he is skiing at 100%. 

North Americans on December 17th start list

• Bib 1, Bryce Bennett, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Fischer, ASP
• Bib 2, Travis Ganong, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Atomic
• Bib 13, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Club, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD, SWIX, ASP
• Bib 17, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
• Bib 21, Cameron Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 25, Jared Goldberg, USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 33, Riley Brodie, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
• Bib 37, Jeffery Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic, UVEX
• Bib 39, Sam Morse, Sugarloaf Ski Club, Carrabassett Valley Academy, Fischer, Swix, ASP
• Bib 44, Broderick Thompson, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD, Oakley
• Bib 54, Erik Arvidsson, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Middlebury College, HEAD
• Bib 59, Kyle Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 60, Kyle Negomir, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic

The race will begin at 5:45 am Eastern Time and at 2:45 am on the West Coast. Remember live and full replay is available with English-speaking announcers on Ski and Snowboard Live.

Start list and program for the December 17th Val Gardena-Gröden downhill

Program for the December 17th Val Gardena-Gröden downhill