KITZBUEHEL, Austria (Jan. 22, 2016) – Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) grabbed his second, and most prestigious, super G podium result of his career finishing second in Friday’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup on the classic Hahnenkamm track.
“I couldn’t be happier. It’s awesome,” said Weibrecht. “Growing up everybody thinks about getting on the podium at Kitzbuehel. Today is a dream come true.”
Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal won the race, and scored his 15th career World Cup super G victory. Austria’s Hannes Reichelt was third. Friday’s super G also served as the first leg of the alpine combined and is followed with an afternoon slalom race.
Andrew Weibrecht pumps his fist in the finish. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Alexis Boichard)
“I thought I was close today, but Aksel skied a great run,” Weibrecht said. ”I’m a little disappointed that he beat me, but it’s an amazing feeling. This is a dream come true to take home one of the Kitzbuehel trophies.”
Wiley Maple (Aspen, CO) was 25th, and Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) was 26th. Thomas Biesemeyer (Keene, NY) was 31st, Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, CA) 34th, Drew Duffy (Warren, VT) 50th and Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV) 53rd.
Weibrecht dedicated his performance to 1994 Olympic Downhill Champion Bill Johnson, who passed away Thursday afternoon.
“He really jump started American downhill racing,” Weibrecht said of Johnson. “In 1984 when Bill came and put down that fantastic run in Sarajevo, he really revitalized the sport and paved the way for guys like Tommy Moe, AJ Kit, and Kyle Rasmussen … and those guys paved the way for our generation. It’s really important to recognize where we have come from as a country in this sport, and Bill was a big part of that.”
Andrew Weibrecht stands on the podium next to Aksel Lund Svindal and Hannes Reichelt. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom)
Watch Friday’s alpine combined event on Universal HD at 2 p.m. EST. Up next, the men compete in the classic Hahnenkamm downhill Saturday at 5:30 a.m. EST. NBCSN will also broadcast the race live.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Andrew Weibrecht posted a career-best second-place in Friday’s World Cup super G. His previous career best was third earlier this season in super G at Beaver Creek.
- Aksel Lund Svindal won his 32nd career World Cup race, and his 15th career World Cup super G win.
- Weibrecht dedicated his performance to 1984 Olympic Downhill Champion Bill Johnson, who passed away Thursday.
- Svindal increased his overall World Cup lead to 107 points over Austria’s Marcel Hirscher, who finished 23rd Friday’s super G.
QUOTES
Andrew Weibrecht
I couldn’t be happier. It’s awesome. Growing up everybody thinks about getting on the podium at Kitzbuehel, and today is a dream come true.
I thought I was close today, but Aksel skied a great run. I’m a little disappointed that he beat me, but it’s an amazing feeling. This is a dream come true to take home one of the Kitzbuehel trophies.
[On Bill Johnson’s legacy] He really jump started American downhill racing. In 1984 when Bill came and put down that fantastic run in Sarajevo, he really revitalized the sport and paved the way for guys like Tommy Moe, AJ Kitt, and Kyle Rasmussen … and those guys paved the way for our generation. It’s really important to recognize where we have come from as a country in this sport, and Bill was a big part of that.
Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)
Friday, Jan. 22
2:00 p.m. - Men's alpine combined, Kitzbuehel - Universal HD
Saturday, Jan. 23
5:30 a.m. - Men's downhill, Kitzbuehel - LIVE - NBCSN
7:30 a.m. - Men's downhill, Wengen - RE-AIR - Universal HD
9:00 a.m. - Men's downhill, Kitzbuehel - RE-AIR - Universal HD
Sunday, Jan. 24
4:30 a.m. - Men's SL1, Kitzbuehel - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
7:30 a.m. - Men's SL2, Kitzbuehel - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
3:30 p.m. - Men's slalom, Kitzbuehel - Universal HD
RESULTS
Men’s super G
