Veronika Widmann had to settle for 25th place on Saturday. © kikeabelleiraphoto

Widmann beaten at World Championships – Höll scores gold hat-trick

Veronika Widmann from Tramin had little to gain at the Downhill World Championships in Andorra on Saturday. Meanwhile, Austrian Valentina Höll once again attracted attention.

August 31, 2024

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Widmann struggled on the track in Pal Arinsal and ultimately had to settle for 25th place. With a time of 3.11,779 minutes, the 31-year-old from Tramin was 11,567 seconds behind the old and new world champion Valentina Höll.

Widmann had already not managed to get past 21st place in the qualification on Thursday. However, with only 40 starters, this was still easily enough for the final of the best 41. The other two Azzurre also did not achieve top placings in the decision on Saturday. Eleonora Farina from Trentino came in 16th and Gloria Scarsi in 21st place.

Höll had already won World Championship gold in the non-Olympic discipline in 2022 and 2023. This time, the 22-year-old from Saalbach (Salzburger Land) left two-time world champion Myriam Nicole from France behind by 0,520 seconds. Bronze went to Briton Tahnee Seagrave (+1,212).

“This is crazy”

"3 gold medals in a row - that's crazy. After the European Championships, I (Note: silver) doubted myself and didn't believe in it. It was very close, the level is unbelievable at the moment," said Höll after the race. The only other person to win three world championship titles in a row was Frenchwoman Anne-Caroline Chausson over 3 years ago, who ultimately won seven times in a row. Höll is currently leading the World Cup and is aiming for her third overall victory in 20 and 7.

French double victory in the men’s event

In the men's race, Frenchman Loris Vergier won with a time of 2.38,661:80 minutes, crowning himself elite world champion for the first time. In the final of the best 2, he relegated fellow countryman Benoit Coulanges to second place (+0,148), while bronze went to Canadian Finn Iles (+0,169). Davide Palazzari was the best Azzurro in 18th place. There were no South Tyroleans at the start.