KITZBUEHEL, Austria (Jan. 21, 2017) – On the world’s toughest downhill course, one small mistake is the difference between finishing on the podium and 10th place. Just ask Steve Nyman (Sundance, UT), who finished 10th in Saturday’s Hahnenkamm Audi FIS Ski World Cup downhill where the top 10 were separated by just 0.84 seconds.
Italy’s Dominik Paris took the victory over two surprise Frenchmen, Valentin Giraud Moine in second and Johan Clarey in third. Nyman, who chose bib 1, soaked in the start festivities and was well on his way to a great run until the Hausberg section on the world’s most famous downhill course.
Steven Nyman ran bib No. 1 in Saturday’s Hahnenkamm Downhill in front of 70,000 fans. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Alexis Boichard)
“It was really cool starting No. 1,” Nyman said. “They have the big gong going up there, the countdown, and everybody is psyched to see the first guy kick out of the gate. I definitely had some nerves, but I executed really well until the Hausberg. I landed off that round, and that’s a long side-hill traverse, and not carrying the speed across that cost me a lot of time.”
Nyman led four Americans into the top 30 Saturday, including Tommy Biesemeyer (Keene, NY), who started bib 50 and posted a career-best 23rd place finish - scoring his first World Cup downhill points - on his first race down the Hahnenkamm.
“I’m happy to walk away with 23rd today,” Biesemeyer said. “It was my first time down Kitzbuehel. To get my first downhill points with a career-best downhill result here in Kitzbuehel is a day to remember.”
Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) was 19th and Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA) was 29th. Jared Goldberg (Holladay, UT) finished 40th and Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, CA) finished in a three-way tie for 41st.
Jared Goldberg was one of six Americans competing in the Hahnenkamm. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Alexis Boichard)
Austria’s Marcel Hirscher, who did not race Saturday, continues to lead the overall World Cup standings with 980 points. Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen is second with 692 points and France’s Alexis Pinturault is third with 655 points. All three will be in action in Sunday’s slalom. With Saturday’s victory, Paris moved atop the World Cup downhill standings by two points over the injured Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway.
Up next, the men race slalom Sunday in Kitzbuehel. Watch it live on NBCSports.com at 4:15 a.m. EST first run and 7:15 a.m. second run.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Italy’s Dominik Paris won Saturday’s Hahnenkamm Audi FIS Ski World Cup downhill in Kitzbuehel, Austria.
- France’s Valentin Giraud Moine posted his second career World Cup downhill podium (second in Kvitfjell in 2016) in second.
- Johan Clarey of France finished third – his third World Cup downhill podium result.
- Tommy Biesemeyer scored his first World Cup downhill points, starting bib 50 and finishing a career-best 23rd in his first race down the Hahnenkamm.
- Road to Aspen: Austria’s Marcel Hirscher, who did not race Saturday, continues to lead the overall World Cup standings with 980 points. Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen is second with 692 points and France’s Alexis Pinturault is third with 655 points. With Saturday’s victory, Paris moved atop the World Cup downhill standings by two points over the injured Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway.
QUOTES
Steve Nyman
It was really cool starting No. 1. They have the big gong going up there, the countdown, and everybody is psyched to see the first guy kick out of the gate. I definitely had some nerves, but I executed really well until the Hausberg. I landed off that round, and that’s a long side-hill traverse and not carrying the speed across that cost me a lot of time. But I was happy with the execution.
[On the course]
This year the piste is so icy and brutal. It was fun!
[On his choice to run bib 1]
For one, get it over with. Two, I think some of the chatter, some chunking in the snow could effect the cleanliness of my skiing. The only other doubt I had was the road, the track would not be as good.
I had high expectations. I really would love to be on the podium here; I’d love to win here. Having the first training run and leading the first training run obviously put some expectations on me. My understanding that I have gained of this hill the past three years has been greater and greater, and I feel like my ability to really push here is much better to where I can compete. Hopefully I can put a full run together here next year.
Tommy Biesemeyer
From the time I wake up to the time I’m actually in the start gate where I have to focus in and get it done, there are so many feelings – you’re scared; you’re hyped-up; you’re nervous; you can’t eat. But the moment I was in the gate I said to myself, ‘Stay to the front of the boot, look for the falline and fight to hold position the whole way down. I know it’s going to be rough and it’s not going to feel good. But let’s just see what happens.'
I’m happy to walk away with 23rd today. It was my first time down Kitzbuehel and to get my first downhill points with a career-best downhill result here in Kitzbuehel is a day to remember.
BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAMING (times EST)
All events streaming at www.nbcsports.com/live
Saturday, Jan. 21
4:30 p.m. – Men’s downhill, Kitzbuehel – NBCSN
Sunday, Jan. 22
4:15 a.m. – Men’s slalom run 1, Kitzbuehel – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM
7:15 a.m. – Men’s slalom run 2, Kitzbuehel – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM
4:00 p.m. – Men’s slalom, Kitzbuehel – NBCSN
RESULTS
Men’s downhill
