On Saturday, the classics will take place at the Lauberhorn. The Swiss have good cards.
What has been worrying about the races at Wengen these past few days! In addition to the high temperatures, weather forecasts are becoming more difficult. But after a successful start on Friday with partly blue skies, the weather shouldn’t be a spoiler on Saturday either. However, in the Bernese Oberland, unexpected winds should always be kept in mind.
But one thing is clear: Since the practice session can be completed on the entire track on Wednesday, there are no organizational hurdles for the classic event on the world’s longest downhill course. If the weather at the top doesn’t turn you on, you can instead start at the Hundschopf.
Otherwise, everything is the same as always on a traditional slope: the key points are again called Minsch Kante, Kernen-S and Ziel-S. You can only win if you have staying power. The ride takes about 2:30 minutes, and the Lauberhorn is the marathon on the World Cup calendar.
There is no way around them:
There are no big surprises when it comes to the question of the top nominees. Are you on to a Super-G winner and a downhill master? Alexander Keld If he was appointed as a winner, one would not become rich. The Norwegian is in enviable shape. 3 of Winter’s 5 offspring were his prey. The 30-year-old did not know any negative extrinsic values. Aside from failing at Val Gardena in December 2021, he hasn’t missed out on the top 10 in the last 27 (!) World Cup downhills. At the Lauberhorn he won the first of two races the previous winter.
It’s hard to believe Marco Adermatt I celebrated the premiere at the Lauberhorn last year – and how. With ranks 1 (Super-G), 2 and 4, he immediately showed in 2022 that conditions in Wengen suit him. With a third-place finish in Super-G on Friday, boost the outlook for Saturday. The rink’s high-flyer can be trusted to do anything, he’s also Kilda’s great rival on the slopes.
Legend:
He says goodbye to the Swiss fans on Saturday
Fuse won.
Keystone / Alessandro Trovati
Behind the current duo in speed competitions there is also Vincent Krechmeyer to calculate. The veteran has already won twice here and ranked fourth in Friday’s Super-G. You should never write it off Fuse won. The Kugelblitz will run its last race on Swiss soil on Saturday before making a farewell performance in Kitzbühel. The Schangnauer announced that there would be no “fun ride” – a spot on the podium that would be too cheesy to end up in front of the home crowd.
For Switzerland first:
Inspired by his first World Cup podium and best time in his first downhill practice session, he must be Stephen Rogentin moving forward. On Odermatt’s heels, the man from Graubünden came close to top of the world, even if Super-G is still the 28-year-old’s strongest discipline. But beware: He celebrated his best downhill finish with an eighth place last year… Wengen.
Second practice on the full road on Wednesday was Prey Nils Hintermann. The Zurich native sometimes lacks consistency, but on a good day he can be on top.
Points should be the target for other Swiss Gilles Rolin (car #21) and top talent Alexis Meuni (37), Lars Rosti (39) and Justin Morisier (47).
Watch out for these athletes, too:
Dominic Paris He’s had a forgettable season so far. Shortly before the end of the year, he managed to put himself in the top ten for the first time in Bormio. The trend in Wengen seems to point to further upside. The 33-year-old competed for podium positions both on the courses and also in Super-G. He’s already podiumed the Lauberhorn twice and hasn’t won yet.
Unlike Paris, it works in James Crawford This year is like clockwork. After zero starts, the Canadian has finished in the top ten every time. A small question mark remains to be placed over Crawford’s condition, he fell at a high speed on Friday, but remained without major injuries.
Finally a ‘wild’ tip: Should there be a ‘start number race’ on Saturday because of the weather? Mattia Kass good cards. With top ratings in practice, the Italian regularly shows he can keep up with the top drivers; And also in Wengen with 3 on Wednesday. Race No. 3 can become his key to exploits.
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