Dominik Paris Claims Victory in Men’s World Cup Downhill Race in Kvitfjell, Norway

Italian skier Dominik Paris secured a thrilling victory in the men’s World Cup downhill race in Kvitfjell, Norway, preventing a Swiss sweep of the podium. Despite his impressive performance, Paris couldn’t stop Marco Odermatt from closing in on another overall title in the competition.

Paris showcased his exceptional skills by speeding down the 1994 Olympics slope in a remarkable time of one minute and 44.67 seconds. He outpaced Odermatt by 0.32 seconds and Stefan Rogentin by 0.63 seconds to claim his fourth World Cup win in Kvitfjell.

Odermatt’s second-place finish further solidified his position in the overall standings, putting him ahead with 440 points over Henrik Kristoffersen and a significant 655-point lead over his Swiss teammate Loic Meillard.

Swiss skiers Franjo von Allmen and Alexis Monney secured the fourth and fifth positions, respectively, continuing their country’s dominance in the downhill races this season. With 14 out of 21 podium spots already taken by Swiss skiers, Odermatt acknowledged the talent within his team, stating, “It’s nice to be captain of such a great team. The young guns, they are coming, they are pushing me a lot. I try to stay on the top.”

Canadian Performance and Odermatt’s Potential Victory

Among the Canadian skiers, James Crawford from Toronto emerged as the top performer, finishing 26th, 2.65 seconds behind Paris. Brodie Seger from North Vancouver claimed the 28th spot, while Jeffrey Read from Canmore, Alberta, placed 32nd, and Raphael Lessard from Granby, Quebec, secured the 46th position.

Odermatt stands a chance to clinch a second consecutive Crystal Globe in downhill if he emerges victorious in Saturday’s race. This potential win would mark his first triumph in Kvitfjell, a feat he expressed excitement about, stating, “I tried several times before in the downhill and never came better than seventh place. A great step.”

Continued Swiss Dominance and Paris’ Remarkable Record

The Swiss skiers’ impressive run began last year in the Norwegian resort, with Niels Hintermann claiming victory. The 29-year-old Hintermann, who battled lymph node cancer, shared his triumphant return to the sport last month.

Paris, aged 35, has a storied history in Kvitfjell, having previously won World Cup downhill races in 2016, 2019, and now in 2022. His latest victory marks his 19th career win, tying him for second place on the all-time downhill winners list with Peter Muller of Switzerland. Only Austrian skier Franz Klammer has more victories with 25.

Reflecting on his win, Paris mentioned, “It’s a good hill for me,” highlighting his affinity for the challenging course. Despite facing a challenging season with only two top-10 finishes, Paris’s triumph in Kvitfjell served as a much-needed boost for the seasoned skier.

The race was initially scheduled to take place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on February 2 but was rescheduled due to fog disrupting training runs. Following the downhill event, a super-G race is set to take place on Sunday, offering more opportunities for skiers to showcase their talents on the slopes.