Courchevel, France – Vincent Kriechmayr of Austria ended a three-year wait for a downhill victory for his nation, claiming the top spot in Friday’s World Cup race in Courchevel. Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni finished a close second, just nine-hundredths of a second behind Kriechmayr, while Marco Odermatt of Switzerland secured the downhill cup title, adding to his already impressive season with a third-place finish.
The race, held on the challenging Courchevel piste, saw Franzoni, the Olympic silver medalist, deliver a strong performance in his debut on the French track. Despite a warm track that he admitted impacted his run, the Italian was pleased with his result. “I’m satisfied,” Franzoni said. “Kriechmayr did everything perfectly. For me it was only the second run after the practice, and I’m happy. This warmth destroys me, but I improved even on the slippery snow. And to finish on the podium with Kriechmayr and Odermatt is a good thing.”
Kriechmayr’s victory marked a significant moment for the Austrian team, breaking a 23-race winless streak in downhill events – a national record for the “Wunderteam.” The 34-year-old Austrian strategically chose a tight line in a key right-hand curve, gaining crucial tenths of a second over his competitors. This was Kriechmayr’s 20th career World Cup win, having previously triumphed at the same venue in the 2022 finals and secured a podium finish at the 2023 World Championships.
Odermatt’s third-place finish was enough to clinch the downhill cup, his third consecutive title in the discipline. He has secured four wins and three podiums in the eight downhill races held this season. He has also already mathematically secured his fifth overall World Cup title, holding a commanding 632-point lead over Henrik Kristoffersen with six races remaining.
The race saw several notable absences. Franjo Von Allmen, a strong contender, did not finish the course, as did fellow Swiss skier Monney.
Italy also saw mixed results. Dominik Paris struggled in the final section of the course, finishing outside the top ten, 1.58 seconds off the pace. Benjamin Alliod delivered a solid performance, finishing 14th, while Mattia Casse was 18th and Innerhofer finished 20th. Florian Schieder did not complete the run.
“It was like skiing on two different slopes,” Alliod commented. “Up top the piste was perfect, but down below the snow was softening, making it difficult to turn the skis. I wasn’t perfect, but I’m happy with my run. The Olympics are here in four years, so we necessitate to prepare.”
Italy will send six athletes to the finals in Kvitfjell: Franzoni, Paris, Schieder, Casse, Alliod, and Innerhofer. Before that, Courchevel will host two super-G races on Saturday and Sunday, including a make-up race from Garmisch.
The men’s downhill race in Courchevel delivered a thrilling competition, with Kriechmayr’s strategic brilliance and Franzoni’s consistent performance highlighting the skill and determination of the world’s top downhill skiers. Odermatt’s continued dominance solidifies his position as a leading force in the sport, and fans now look ahead to the upcoming races in Kvitfjell and the super-G events in Courchevel.
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