ASPEN,COLORADO,USA,03.MAR.23 – Adrian Smiseth Sejersted. Photo: GEPA pictures

ASPEN, CO – Due to the deteriorating weather conditions, after 23 racers had started, the FIS canceled Friday’s Aspen downhill. Unfortunately, it became impossible to complete a safe and fair competition. Notably, the race needed to start a minimum of 30 competitors to become official. At the time of the cancelation, Adrian Smiseth Sejersted of Norway was in a position for his first World Cup victory.

From the beginning of the race, the weather played a significant role in outcomes. Initially, the uphill wind caused the challenge and then the snow diminished the visibility beyond an acceptable level.

Sejersted was on his way to victory

Sejersted, who skied with bib one, set the tone on a day that started sunny, grew breezy and then saw a snowstorm roll in that decreased visibility below an acceptable level. He finished in 1 minute, 31.24 seconds — a time none of the other 22 other racers to start could match. At the time Vincent Kriechmayr of Austria sat in second (+0.26). Notably, USA’s Ryan Cochran-Siegle had the third fastest time at the time of the cancelation.

Sejersted has two podium finishes in World Cup races over his career. Both were in the super-G in 2020.

Sejersted was sitting in the leader’s chair hoping they would make it through 30 racers to validate the race. Unfortunately for him they never made it to the threshold. He appeared dejected as teammate Aleksander Aamodt Kilde attempted to console him. Cochran-Siegle also offered the Norwegian skier comfort.

After his run and before the race was officially cancelled, RCS reported that it skied as he expected when he ran. He followed that thought up saying, “I think it’s a very different race now with changing a wind and light. As skiers you want a fair race. I don’t know if that’s really the case at this point, but I’m happy with my skiing regardless of how everything ends up.”

US skier AJ Kitt can sympathize with Sejersted. Once in 1993, he led the downhill in Aspen when the fog made it impossible to complete the race. Then again, in 1995, he had the lead when a hole formed in the left ski turn onto the Straw Pile pitch, making it unsafe to continue racing.

There will be another downhill race on Saturday in Aspen, followed by a super-G on Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.