(Kitzbühel) The speed specialists tackle the mythical descent of the Streif from Kitzbühel (Austria) on Friday and Sunday, before taking the direction of the Olympic Games in Beijing (February 4-20).
Posted at 10:49 a.m.
The two strong men of the winter so far, the Swiss Marco Odermatt and the Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, have not yet experienced success in the downhill temple.
While the big crystal globe seems promised to him (he has a 390-point lead in the general classification over Kilde), Odermatt should make his third start in the most famous downhill on Friday (24and in 2019, 10and in 2021).
Last year, he had to manage the frustration of only being able to take one of the two planned starts: the organizers had stopped the first race and ratified the results because of the weather after 30 skiers, when he had the number 31.
“I have no revenge to take no, it’s a new year, I just hope to ski well. The Streif is still very difficult, especially with this weather. So far I’m not tired. The feat is possible here, of course, but it will be difficult, ”explained the young Swiss (24) with six victories this winter.
Winner of two runs this season, the Norwegian Aleksander Aadmodt Kilde has never shone in this discipline in Kitzbühel (6and at best in six starts).
“Kitzbühel is always special. It’s hard to be fast here, I’m expecting a very tight race as always, especially hoping the weather will be stable enough to provide a fair and safe race. Anyway, I’m ready. »
Skiers are indeed keeping an eye on the weather, forecast to be bad at the end of the week on the Hahnnenkamm massif with a lot of snowfall. The organizers have already postponed the second descent to Sunday instead of the slalom, advanced to Saturday, the day of the heaviest rainfall.
After Kitzbühel, the last men’s race before the Games will take place on Tuesday, a night slalom in Schladming (Austria).
Kitzbühel Men’s World Cup Schedule
Friday, January 21: first descent at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 22: slalom, first run at 10:30 a.m., second run at 1:45 p.m.
Sunday, January 23: second descent at 1:30 p.m.