Alpine Skiing: Dreßen Struggles in Val Gardena, Bennett Wins Unexpectedly
Bummer start for German skier Thomas Dreßen in this year's speed season, landing in 41st place during the downhill in Val Gardena/Gröden. The 30-year-old skier, who'd previously claimed victory at the Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbühel in 2018, had a hard time gaining confidence in technical aspects given the differing conditions of the slope due to fresh snow. Dreßen, who's been managing health setbacks over multiple winters, is still not 100% physically.
German team-mate Josef Ferstl made it to the 15th spot, with Andreas Sander placing 46th and Simon Jocher being eliminated along with Luis Vogt who didn't show up after a training crash.
Unexpectedly, Bryce Bennett, a skilled American skier with bib number 34, snagged the top spot. This represented his second World Cup victory, following his triumph at the famous Saslong course in South Tyrol in 2021. Surprisingly enough, the mighty Norwegian downhill champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde finished in second place, leaving Swiss overall World Cup winner Marco Odermatt - known for his dominance in recent years – in third place.
The athletes faced a tight program in South Tyrol with multiple events lined up, including a super-G on Friday at 11:45 am in Val Gardena/Gröden.
With the 2022-2023 FIS World Alpine Ski Championships, also known as the World Cup, scheduled to take place in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, all eyes are on the alpine skiing stars eager to compete and claim victory in the coming downhill events.
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Bryce Bennett's victory in Val Gardena was an exciting surprise, making him the first American to win an alpine World Cup downhill in Italy since Billy Kidd took first place in 1969. Bennett's success was even more impressive given the difficulty of the Saslong course, which has claimed numerous victors’ falls, crashes, and even fatalities over the decades. Benefitting from a unique combination of speed and technical skills, Bennett was able to maintain a fast pace without sacrificing control, ultimately adding his name to the distinguished list of victors on the Saslong course.
While Bennett’s victory was unexpected and captivating, German skier Thomas Dreßen’s performance was a mixed bag. Despite finishing lower than expected in 41st place, Dreßen showed heart and resilience, recognizing the impact of the challenging conditions and pushing forward, optimistic about future progress. Dreßen’s teammates also demonstrated flashes of brilliance, with Ferstl securing 15th place and Sander putting up a competitive fight.
Reflecting on the World Cup season, Norwegian downhill champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who secured second place in the Val Gardena downhill, remains a dominant force in the alpine skiing world. Swiss overall World Cup winner Marco Odermatt, who finished in third place, continues to showcase his impressive skills, routinely making the podium. Together with other alpine skiing superstars, they’re set to compete in the World Cup events, including the famed downhill in Kitzbühel, eager to prove their worth and claim victory on this most prestigious of skiing stages.
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