Aleksander Aamodt Kilde made it clear right at the start of the speed season on the "Men's Olympic Downhill" racecourse that he wanted to successfully defend his Downhill World Cup Title. On Saturday, the Norwegian won the first downhill of the 2022-2023 season in Lake Louise, which was postponed by one day, ahead of Daniel Hemetsberger (+0.06 seconds) and Marco Odermatt (+0.10). The 30-year-old claimed his first career win on the Canadian slope. It's his seventh Downhill and 14th World Cup victory.
“I took a lot of risks today. From Coaches Corner all the way down I really banged on the gas and it was a good race. I've never been fast at Lake Louise. It was a close race again today. Before the start I just had a good feeling. Before Lake Louise you are always a bit unsure if you will be among the front runners. When you win, it's a good feeling", said Kilde.
It is the second World Cup podium for Daniel Hemetsberger after his third place in Kitzbühel in January 2022.
The 31-year-old Austrian skier
“It was a good run, a good day for me. I knocked everything out. I wanted to go full gas, that's what I did. It was important for me that I was able to focus. When I can do that, it's always good for me. It's my best World Cup result, so all good", the Austrian said.
All-rounder Odermatt had begun the season with victory in the Giant Slalom in Soelden and was happy with his third place.
"It was a very, very good run. I'm definitely happy to start the downhill season with a podium”, said Odermatt.
The reigning Overall World Cup champion knows these Downhill points will be key as he tries to defend his title.
“I think Downhill will be again the key discipline this season for the overall title. I think one of my biggest rivals Alex (Kilde) showed his ambition for the overall title as well. So, he will try to beat me and we will have many more fights this season”, said Odermatt.
It is the 5th time Marco Odermatt is on the Downhill podium. Last season he finished in second place in Bormio, Wengen, Kitzbühel, and in the Alpine Ski World Cup Finals in Courchevel-Meribel.
At least one Swiss skier, Beat Feuz, Marco Odermatt, or Niels Hintermann, has finished on the podium in 11 of the last 12 Downhill events in the men's World Cup.
Last season winner Matthias Mayer finished in fourth place, +0.37 seconds behind Kilde. Olympic downhill champion Beat Feuz was fifth (+0.68) and 41-year-old Johan Clarey was sixth, 0.88 off the winning time.