Svindal squeaks past Weibrecht for Kitzbuehel super G title
KITZBUEHEL, Austria – It was a near perfect day in Kitzbuehel on Friday for the men’s super G. Bluebird skies greeted the racers this morning as fresh snow dusted the landscape, providing breathtaking scenery and racing action for the thousands of ski-mad fans amassed at the finish. When the sun crept behind the mountains as morning turned to afternoon, Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal walked away with the victory, clocking in a time of 1:11.79 seconds. Coming in second was American Andrew Weibrecht, 0.31 seconds back, and Austrian star Hannes Reichelt rounded out the podium in third, 0.42 seconds off the winning time.
A tricky course set in sections led to more than a few untimely exits, with the first two racers failing to make it more than four gates. Americans Ted Ligety and Travis Ganong also fell victim to a fast and delicate bottom section following promising split times.
However, the big Norwegian, wearing bib 20, never looked in doubt as he steadily built on his advantage at each interval until crossing the line. Friday’s win is Svindal’s second victory here in Kitzbuehel, both in super G.
“You never get used to winning races,” Svindal admitted. “This is a pretty cool feeling still, watching the best guys come down right behind me with Kjetil [Jansrud] and Hannes [Reichelt]. I knew it would be pretty tight, and it’s always nerve-wracking to be in that position, but it’s fun when it pays off.”
Svindal took a tighter line in sections than the rest of the field – a tactic that proved disastrous for several racers both before and after him – but managed to hold his line and come away with his seventh World Cup win this season.
“I think everywhere I tried to trim some distance,” he explained. “My goal was to definitely come into the Hausberg and be ahead so I had a little bit of a margin because going through the sidehill perfect is almost impossible.”
Svindal and the rest of the Atacking Vikings have been nothing short of spectacular this season. With today’s win, the Norwegian men have claimed victory in the last five World Cup races as Svindal, Jansrud, and Henrik Kristoffersen have all found the top step the podium.
For Weibrecht, his classic no-holds-barred style suited the hill perfectly, as he wowed those in attendance with his aggression and precision en route to his second career World Cup podium.
“I couldn’t be happier, it’s awesome,” a pleased Weibrecht said after his run. “You know, growing up, everybody thinks about getting on the podium in Kitzbuehel and today is a dream come true. I’ve just really been trying to keep it simple and just keep things running down the hill and it was a great course for that.”
After his third place in the Beaver Creek super G in December, his runner-up performance today, and some strong skiing in between, does the American see a victory in the near future?
“I thought I was close today, and then Aksel came down and he skied great. You know, it really depends on Aksel. If he makes a mistake someday, then maybe.”
An Austrian making it to the podium in Kitzbuelel is an expectation from the home fans, and Reichelt delivered for the Austrian faithful. Friday’s result was Reichelt’s fourth podium appearance in Kitzbuehel, setting himself up well for tomorrow’s downhill, which he won in 2014.
“I’m feeling really great because it was a really cool run,” Reichelt said. “Especially the traverse was on the limit, there were no centimeters between me and the gates so I am happy that I am healthy here in the finish and really happy about the third place. It’s so cool to be on the podium as an Austrian here in Kitzbuehel.”
It was a somber day for the Americans, as the team learned of 1984 Olympic downhill gold medalist Bill Johnson’s passing first thing in the morning. For Weibrecht and many others on the team, Johnson was an inspirational figure for his on hill accomplishments and no-fear attitude when it came to shaking up the Eurocentric status quo of his time, an embodiment of what it means to call yourself an American Downhiller.
“It’s super sad, he was such a fighter through the past years, he dealt with so much and he kept fighting,” Weibrecht added. “He was one of the original guys, you know? His passing is really sad. This was for him.”
Following Weibrecht in the points for the Americans was Wiley Maple making his first trip into the top 30 this season in 25th, and Steve Nyman just behind in 26th.
The men now have a slalom run this evening at 4:45 p.m. CET to decide the Hahnenkamm combined winner, with downhill on tap for Saturday and slalom on Sunday.
The Scoop
By Hank McKee
- Svindal, Head/Head/Head
- Weibrecht, Head/Head/Head
- Reichelt, Salomon/Salomon/Salomon
- Jansrud, Head/Head/Head
- Paris, Nordica/Nordica/Marker
- Fill, Atomic/Atomic/Atomic
- Casse, Head/Head/Head
- Baumann, Salomon/Salomon/Salomon
- Janka, Rossignol/Rossignol/Rossignol
- Sander, Atomic/Atomic/Atomic
- Men’s World Cup super G, Kitzbuehel, Austria, Jan. 22, 2016. … The first of four races of the 76th Hahnenkamm. … It is the 19th of 45 races on the men’s schedule … the fourth of eight scheduled super Gs. … The race will serve as the first half of the Hahnekamm combined with a run of slalom scheduled to follow later in the day. … It is the 16th World Cup super G held at Kitzbuehel. … Dominik Paris won the most recent Jan. 23, 2015. … Daron Rahlves in the only American to win a World Cup super G at Kitzbuehel, accomplished in 2004. … There are 92 on the startlist.
- It is the 32nd career World Cup win for Aksel Lund Svindal … his 15th in super G. … Among men he trails only Hermann Maier’s 24 for most SG wins. … It is his seventh win of the season and third in SG. … It is his second World Cup win at Kitzbuehel, the previous also in super G from 2013. … The winning margin is 0.31 of a second. … Top nine skiers are within the same second. … Top 25 within two seconds.
- It is a career best result for Andrew Weibrecht and his second career podium. … He was third earlier this season, also in SG, at Beaver Creek Dec. 5. … It is the 15th podium for the U.S. team this season. … His previous best at Kitzbuehel had been fifth in SG last season.
- It is the 32nd career World Cup podium for Hannes Reichelt. … His third of the season, all coming since Dec. 29. … It is his fourth World Cup podium at Kitzbuehel, second in SG.
- It is the second best World Cup Kitzbuehel finish for Manuel Osborne-Paradis after a 10th in DH in 2013. … It is the fourth career World Cup score for Wiley Maple, his first at Kitzbuehel. … Steven Nyman matches his third best Kitzbuehel SG finish. … Four North Americans just miss points. … Morgan Pridy and Thomas Biesemeyer tie for 31st, Jeffrey Frisch finishes 33rd and Bryce Bennet 34th.
- Svindal boosts his lead of the World Cup overall standings to 916-809 over Marcel Hirscher (23rd in race). … Henrik Kristoffersen (did not race) is third overall with 671pts. … Weibrecht moves past Ted Ligety to lead the U.S. skiers in 12th with 269pts.
- Svindal dominates the SG standings 310-190 over Weibrecht. Kjetil Jansrud (fourth in race) is third at 166pts.
- Austria leads the men’s Nations Cup 2925-2575 over Norway. … France is third at 2280. … The U.S. is fifth at 1221 and Canada ninth at 323.
Official Results
Rank | Bib | FIS Code | Name | Year | Nation | Total Time | Diff. | FIS Points | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 20 | 421328 | SVINDAL Aksel Lund | 1982 | NOR | 1:11.79 | 0.00 | |||
2 | 17 | 530939 | WEIBRECHT Andrew | 1986 | USA | 1:12.10 | +0.31 | 4.66 | ||
3 | 21 | 50742 | REICHELT Hannes | 1980 | AUT | 1:12.21 | +0.42 | 6.32 | ||
4 | 22 | 421483 | JANSRUD Kjetil | 1985 | NOR | 1:12.32 | +0.53 | 7.97 | ||
5 | 16 | 291459 | PARIS Dominik | 1989 | ITA | 1:12.51 | +0.72 | 10.83 | ||
6 | 8 | 292455 | FILL Peter | 1982 | ITA | 1:12.62 | +0.83 | 12.49 | ||
7 | 6 | 990081 | CASSE Mattia | 1990 | ITA | 1:12.64 | +0.85 | 12.79 | ||
8 | 13 | 51215 | BAUMANN Romed | 1986 | AUT | 1:12.71 | +0.92 | 13.84 | ||
9 | 14 | 511313 | JANKA Carlo | 1986 | SUI | 1:12.74 | +0.95 | 14.29 | ||
10 | 29 | 200379 | SANDER Andreas | 1989 | GER | 1:12.90 | +1.11 | 16.70 | ||
11 | 23 | 102899 | OSBORNE-PARADIS Manuel | 1984 | CAN | 1:12.98 | +1.19 | 17.90 | ||
11 | 18 | 53980 | KRIECHMAYR Vincent | 1991 | AUT | 1:12.98 | +1.19 | 17.90 | ||
13 | 10 | 194364 | PINTURAULT Alexis | 1991 | FRA | 1:13.01 | +1.22 | 18.35 | ||
14 | 9 | 50858 | STREITBERGER Georg | 1981 | AUT | 1:13.11 | +1.32 | 19.86 | ||
15 | 35 | 561216 | KLINE Bostjan | 1991 | SLO | 1:13.24 | +1.45 | 21.81 | ||
16 | 26 | 511383 | FEUZ Beat | 1987 | SUI | 1:13.32 | +1.53 | 23.02 | ||
17 | 27 | 191740 | CLAREY Johan | 1981 | FRA | 1:13.43 | +1.64 | 24.67 | ||
18 | 25 | 192504 | MERMILLOD BLONDIN Thomas | 1984 | FRA | 1:13.44 | +1.65 | 24.82 | ||
18 | 11 | 422139 | KILDE Aleksander Aamodt | 1992 | NOR | 1:13.44 | +1.65 | 24.82 | ||
18 | 5 | 54005 | STRIEDINGER Otmar | 1991 | AUT | 1:13.44 | +1.65 | 24.82 | ||
21 | 30 | 293006 | INNERHOFER Christof | 1984 | ITA | 1:13.45 | +1.66 | 24.97 | ||
22 | 38 | 561217 | KOSI Klemen | 1991 | SLO | 1:13.46 | +1.67 | 25.12 | ||
23 | 31 | 511638 | TUMLER Thomas | 1989 | SUI | 1:13.69 | +1.90 | 28.58 | ||
23 | 12 | 53831 | HIRSCHER Marcel | 1989 | AUT | 1:13.69 | +1.90 | 28.58 | ||
25 | 45 | 930024 | MAPLE Wiley | 1990 | USA | 1:13.74 | +1.95 | 29.34 | ||
26 | 47 | 533866 | NYMAN Steven | 1982 | USA | 1:13.79 | +2.00 | 30.09 | ||
27 | 61 | 50753 | KROELL Klaus | 1980 | AUT | 1:13.80 | +2.01 | 30.24 | ||
28 | 24 | 511981 | WEBER Ralph | 1993 | SUI | 1:13.85 | +2.06 | 30.99 | ||
29 | 34 | 202196 | BRANDNER Klaus | 1990 | GER | 1:13.90 | +2.11 | 31.74 | ||
30 | 32 | 193967 | MUFFAT-JEANDET Victor | 1989 | FRA | 1:13.91 | +2.12 | 31.89 | ||
31 | 53 | 103612 | PRIDY Morgan | 1990 | CAN | 1:13.93 | +2.14 | 32.19 | ||
31 | 4 | 531452 | BIESEMEYER Thomas | 1989 | USA | 1:13.93 | +2.14 | 32.19 | ||
33 | 44 | 103512 | FRISCH Jeffrey | 1984 | CAN | 1:13.99 | +2.20 | 33.10 | ||
34 | 86 | 700830 | ZAMPA Adam | 1990 | SVK | 1:14.06 | +2.27 | 34.15 | ||
34 | 64 | 6530104 | BENNETT Bryce | 1992 | USA | 1:14.06 | +2.27 | 34.15 | ||
36 | 67 | 191964 | POISSON David | 1982 | FRA | 1:14.11 | +2.32 | 34.90 | ||
37 | 3 | 293550 | MARSAGLIA Matteo | 1985 | ITA | 1:14.14 | +2.35 | 35.35 | ||
38 | 50 | 194298 | GIEZENDANNER Blaise | 1991 | FRA | 1:14.19 | +2.40 | 36.11 | ||
39 | 46 | 180570 | ROMAR Andreas | 1989 | FIN | 1:14.31 | +2.52 | 37.91 | ||
40 | 65 | 560447 | SPORN Andrej | 1981 | SLO | 1:14.40 | +2.61 | 39.26 | ||
41 | 79 | 511852 | CAVIEZEL Gino | 1992 | SUI | 1:14.46 | +2.67 | 40.17 | ||
42 | 90 | 511896 | MURISIER Justin | 1992 | SUI | 1:14.48 | +2.69 | 40.47 | ||
43 | 70 | 511847 | MANI Nils | 1992 | SUI | 1:14.50 | +2.71 | 40.77 | ||
44 | 41 | 291318 | TONETTI Riccardo | 1989 | ITA | 1:14.60 | +2.81 | 42.27 | ||
45 | 43 | 54076 | KOECK Niklas | 1992 | AUT | 1:14.61 | +2.82 | 42.42 | ||
46 | 48 | 380292 | ZRNCIC DIM Natko | 1986 | CRO | 1:14.64 | +2.85 | 42.88 | ||
47 | 40 | 293141 | VARETTONI Silvano | 1984 | ITA | 1:14.65 | +2.86 | 43.03 | ||
48 | 68 | 292514 | HEEL Werner | 1982 | ITA | 1:14.95 | +3.16 | 47.54 | ||
49 | 33 | 511808 | SCHMED Fernando | 1991 | SUI | 1:15.03 | +3.24 | 48.74 | ||
50 | 60 | 6290845 | BOSCA Guglielmo | 1993 | ITA | 1:15.05 | +3.26 | 49.04 | ||
51 | 77 | 103997 | MEGARRY Morgan | 1993 | CAN | 1:15.22 | +3.43 | 51.60 | ||
52 | 42 | 6531127 | DUFFY Drew | 1995 | USA | 1:15.27 | +3.48 | 52.35 | ||
53 | 76 | 303758 | SUGAI Ryo | 1991 | JPN | 1:15.40 | +3.61 | 54.31 | ||
54 | 92 | 380335 | ZUBCIC Filip | 1993 | CRO | 1:15.44 | +3.65 | 54.91 | ||
55 | 89 | 700879 | ZAMPA Andreas | 1993 | SVK | 1:15.59 | +3.80 | 57.17 | ||
56 | 62 | 294904 | PANGRAZZI Paolo | 1988 | ITA | 1:15.72 | +3.93 | 59.12 | ||
57 | 85 | 103865 | PHILP Trevor | 1992 | CAN | 1:15.98 | +4.19 | 63.03 | ||
58 | 52 | 534959 | JITLOFF Tim | 1985 | USA | 1:16.01 | +4.22 | 63.49 | ||
59 | 84 | 430429 | BYDLINSKI Maciej | 1988 | POL | 1:16.32 | +4.53 | 68.15 | ||
60 | 83 | 380341 | ULLRICH Max | 1994 | CRO | 1:17.24 | +5.45 | 81.99 | ||
61 | 87 | 150644 | KRYZL Krystof | 1986 | CZE | 1:18.23 | +6.44 | 96.88 | ||
62 | 91 | 30149 | SIMARI BIRKNER Cristian Javier | 1980 | ARG | 1:18.90 | +7.11 | 106.96 | ||
63 | 88 | 430550 | KLUSAK Jakub | 1992 | POL | 1:19.08 | +7.29 | 109.67 | ||
Did not start 1st run | ||||||||||
82 | 380260 | KOSTELIC Ivica | 1979 | CRO | ||||||
80 | 670052 | KHUBER Martin | 1992 | KAZ | ||||||
69 | 531799 | FORD Tommy | 1989 | USA | ||||||
Did not finish 1st run | ||||||||||
81 | 110324 | VON APPEN Henrik | 1994 | CHI | ||||||
78 | 6290393 | CAZZANIGA Davide | 1992 | ITA | ||||||
75 | 104531 | CRAWFORD James | 1997 | CAN | ||||||
74 | 294277 | KLOTZ Siegmar | 1987 | ITA | ||||||
73 | 533131 | SULLIVAN Marco | 1980 | USA | ||||||
72 | 561322 | HADALIN Stefan | 1995 | SLO | ||||||
71 | 481327 | TRIKHICHEV Pavel | 1992 | RUS | ||||||
66 | 194542 | GIRAUD MOINE Valentin | 1992 | FRA | ||||||
63 | 104096 | THOMPSON Broderick | 1994 | CAN | ||||||
59 | 6290985 | BUZZI Emanuele | 1994 | ITA | ||||||
58 | 561310 | HROBAT Miha | 1995 | SLO | ||||||
57 | 561255 | CATER Martin | 1992 | SLO | ||||||
56 | 53981 | KROELL Johannes | 1991 | AUT | ||||||
55 | 194167 | MUZATON Maxence | 1990 | FRA | ||||||
54 | 103762 | WERRY Tyler | 1991 | CAN | ||||||
51 | 53968 | BERTHOLD Frederic | 1991 | AUT | ||||||
49 | 511529 | GISIN Marc | 1988 | SUI | ||||||
39 | 54009 | WALDER Christian | 1991 | AUT | ||||||
37 | 54080 | NEUMAYER Christopher | 1992 | AUT | ||||||
36 | 934643 | GOLDBERG Jared | 1991 | USA | ||||||
28 | 192932 | FAYED Guillermo | 1985 | FRA | ||||||
19 | 192746 | THEAUX Adrien | 1984 | FRA | ||||||
15 | 530874 | GANONG Travis | 1988 | USA | ||||||
7 | 534562 | LIGETY Ted | 1984 | USA | ||||||
2 | 102263 | GUAY Erik | 1981 | CAN | ||||||
1 | 53933 | SCHWEIGER Patrick | 1990 | AUT |