After the first speed competition of this year's winter was finally held on Thursday with the Sprint Downhill on the Saslong, many beaming faces were present at the team captains' meeting in the evening.

The President of the Saslong Classic Club, Rainer Senoner, looked back with satisfaction on the first of three races in Val Gardena/Gröden in the presence of FIS Secretary General Michel Vion: "The course was surprisingly good. We, as organizers, can speak of a successful downhill. Our focus is now already on the super-G on Friday."

While technical delegate Einar Witteveen spoke of "fair conditions for all athletes," FIS race director Markus Waldner also had words of praise for the organizing committee: "I have to pay a big compliment to the entire Val Gardena/Gröden team, especially to race course director Horst Demetz. The Saslong was far more than 'just' race-ready; it was in excellent condition. My FIS colleagues Hannes Trinkl and Raimund Plancker also did a great job here."

Looking at the weather forecast, Waldner is in good spirits: "Stable, cold weather is forecast for the next two days. So, nothing should stand in the way of the super-G on Friday and the downhill classic on Saturday."

The super-G on the Saslong will start at 11:45 am.