Christof Innerhofer was right at the front. © Saslong Classic Club

For his birthday: Innerhofer celebrates in Val Gardena

The 57th edition of the Saslong Classic opened on Tuesday with the first downhill training. In fantastic conditions, the Italian Mattia Casse set the fastest time. But Christof Innerhofer also made a statement.

17 December 2024

From: pm/dl

Casse clearly distanced himself from the competition during his training run and achieved a lead of over four tenths of a second with a time of 2.02,19:XNUMX minutes. The experienced skier already proved two years ago that the "Azzurro" is a force to be reckoned with in Val Gardena, when he surprisingly raced to third place as an outsider in the classic downhill race.

Behind the fastest rider in training, overall World Cup winner Marco Odermatt came in second. The exceptional Swiss athlete, who already has three podium finishes on the Saslong, was 45 hundredths slower than Casse. Third place went to the Austrian Romed Baumann (+0,57 seconds), who has been competing for Germany for many years.

Casse and Innerhofer strong

Local hero Christof Innerhofer provided a real highlight in the first downhill training session. The Gaiser skier finished with the fourth-best time on his 40th birthday, impressively underlining that he is far from being past his prime. The top five were completed by Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin, one position behind his compatriot Nils Allegre in sixth place.

Mattia Casse raced to the best time.

The Americans, who are usually strong in Val Gardena, were not to be found in the top positions. Two athletes, Jared Goldberg (eighth place) and Ryan Cochran-Siegle (twelfth place), nevertheless made it into the top 15. The best results for the Austrian speed aces were achieved by Otmar Striedinger in ninth place, the surprisingly strong Felix Hacker in eleventh place and Daniel Hemetsberger in 15th place.

Paris and Bennett remain tight-lipped

Last year's two winners, Bryce Bennett and Dominik Paris, did not reveal their cards in the first training run. While the US boy only managed the 34th fastest time, the Ulten powerhouse was content with 41st place.

The other two South Tyroleans, Florian Schieder (31st) and Max Perathoner (44th), also finished outside the top 30 athletes. Another downhill training session is planned on the Saslong on Wednesday. The second training run also begins at 11.45 a.m.

1. Downhill training in Val Gardena