The great hunted: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. © Saslong Classic Club

Who should beat this Aleksander Aamodt Kilde?

The World Cup week in South Tyrol opened on Tuesday with the first downhill training in Val Gardena. The top favorites didn't hold back and announced their ambitions - especially Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.

12 December 2023

From: leo

Val Gardena has always been the living room of the Norwegians: Aksel Lund Svindal triumphed on the Saslong ten times, Kjetil Jansrud was at the top five times, just as often as Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. The 31-year-old is the big favorite this weekend and proved that in the first training session.

Although the American surprise man Jared Goldberg was 0,25 seconds faster under overcast skies and temperatures above freezing, Kilde set the best time of the top people. Stefan Rogentin from Switzerland followed in third place. Goldberg has already finished in the top 3 three times in Val Gardena, the best result being 10th place. Superstar Marco Odermatt, who achieved his first podium finish in Val Gardena last year, lost a lot of time in the upper, flat part of the track before showing off his technical qualities on the Ciaslat. The Swiss came seventh, 6 seconds behind. Last year's winner Vincent Kriechmayr took 0,77th place (+ 14).

Paris is keeping up well

And the South Tyroleans? Dominik Paris, who had to be content with places 40 and 42 in Val Gardena last year, was lightning fast in the sliding part before gradually losing time after the camel humps. He was almost a second behind Goldberg and finished ninth. Florian Schieder ended up in 16th place (+1,80), Christof Innerhofer lost 2,88 seconds and took 30th place.

The fastest in training: Jared Goldberg. © Saslong Classic Club

There is a second training session on the Saslong on Wednesday. However, it is unclear whether this can be carried out as planned because the weather forecast does not bode well. On the three days of racing, however, the sun will shine over Val Gardena.

The result