After the super-G, all eyes are on the downhill classic in Val Gardena/Gröden on Saturday. The list of favorites is longer than it has been in years, and excitement is guaranteed.

The first athlete to take to the slopes will be Miha Hrobat of Slovenia at 11:45 a.m. The 29-year-old impressed with third place in the only downhill race of the season so far in Beaver Creek and, due to his strong form, should not be underestimated on the Saslong either. With starting number 6, the Canadian James Crawford opens the group of top skiers. The fastest skier in Wednesday's training has what it takes to set the first mark.

Immediately after Crawford, it will be the turn of Justin Murisier (Switzerland), winner of the Beaver Creek downhill. The Frenchman Nils Allegre has bib number 8, while last year's winner Dominik Paris from Ulten will be starting with bib number 9. After that, it will be one after the other: Vincent Kriechmayr will be taking G with bib number 10, and Val Gardena/Gröden specialist Bryce Bennett of the USA (winner of the 2021 and 2023 downhill) will start with bib number 11.

Marco Odermatt of Switzerland is chasing his first triumph on the Saslong with bib number 14. The reigning overall World Cup winner is a hot favorite with the bookies, as is France's Cyprien Sarrazin, who is the 15th skier to take to the course and rounds off the group of the best downhill skiers.

Directly behind the top group, it is the turn of Florian Schieder from Kastelruth and super-G winner Mattia Casse from Italy, two other extremely interesting athletes. Their runs will reveal just how valuable the times of the front-runners really are.

With the experienced Christof Innerhofer from Gais, another South Tyrolean is represented in the top 30 of the downhill scene. The 40-year-old from Pustertal will be the 30th skier to take to the slopes on Saturday.

A total of 64 athletes from 15 nations will start in the downhill classic.

The complete starting list for the downhill race is available here.