Once again this year, the racer who scores the most World Cup points in the speed events on the Saslong will receive a special prize: the DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy. After two of three races, the battle for the trophy could not be more exciting.

Before the downhill classic on Saturday, Switzerland's Marco Odermatt is in first place in this special competition. The overall World Cup leader collected 120 points with two third places in the sprint downhill and super-G and is just ahead of super-G winner Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT/118 points). Downhill triumphant Bryce Bennett from the USA is a further four points behind in third place.

In addition to the leading trio, Canada's James Crawford (85) and Austria's Daniel Hemetsberger (83) also collected plenty of points in the first two races and can still hope to win the special prize. Although Norway's Aleksander Aamodt Kilde came away empty-handed in the super-G on Friday, he still holds all the cards after finishing second in the sprint downhill. With four victories, the reigning title holder is also the record winner of the DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy.

Mattia Casse best Italian

The best "Azzurro" in the rankings is currently Mattia Casse. The 33-year-old finished in the top 15 in each of the first two races and is in eighth place with 54 points. This means he can still win the special prizes but his chances could be higher. South Tyrol's speed aces follow just outside the top 20: Dominik Paris, Christof Innerhofer and Florian Schieder are 22nd, 23rd and 25th, respectively.

It's worth noting that if several athletes have the same points after the races, the athlete with the better ranking in one of the two competitions wins. If there is also a tie here, the better result in the downhill classic on Saturday will decide in favor of the winner.

Several additional prizes await

The DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy is a prestigious special prize that was introduced in 2016 by the organizers of the Saslong Classic in collaboration with DOLOMITES Val Gardena Marketing. The winner of the trophy can look forward to a 3D wooden bust true to the original, extra prize money of 5,000 euros, a short vacation stay in Val Gardena/Gröden and an ascent of the Sassolungo/Langkofel accompanied by a local mountain guide.

DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy - Intermediate standings after two of three races:
1. Marco Odermatt (SUI) 120 points
2. Bryce Bennett (USA) 118
3. Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) 114
4. James Crawford (CAN) 85
5. Daniel Hemetsberger (AUT) 83
6. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) 80

8. Mattia Casse (ITA) 54
14. Guglielmo Bosca (ITA) 38
22. Dominik Paris (ITA/Ulten) 24
23. Christof Innerhofer (ITA/Gais) 22
25. Florian Schieder (ITA/Kastelruth) 16