Kriechmayr wins the first downhill in Val Gardena/Gröden

The first of two downhill races of the 55th Saslong Classic has ended with a victory for an Austrian. In a race that was characterized by extremely close margins, Vincent Kriechmayr prevailed.

"Was at the limit from top to bottom."

In the first two downhill races, Austria's Vincent Kriechmayr came out on top in a true hundredth thriller. We collected the voices of the main actors after the race.

Light snowfall and unstable weather forecast not a cause for concern.

A short analysis of the first downhill was on the agenda at the third Team Captains' Meeting on Thursday evening in Selva/Wolkenstein . At the same time, the final details for the super-G on Friday were clarified.

"Happy to be here" FIS Race Director Markus Waldner in a short interview.

The long wait is finally over: On Thursday, the first of three-speed races will take place in Val Gardena/Gröden with a shortened downhill. We took an exclusive look behind the scenes with FIS Race Director Markus Waldner shortly before the downhill start.

Nine Italians compete in the first downhill race

The Italian national ski team is tackling the Val Gardena/Gröden race week with a large squad. No less than nine "Azzurri" will be taking part in the first downhill on Thursday.

Last year's runner-up opens the downhill

On Wednesday evening, at the Team Captains' meeting in Selva/Wolkenstein, the bib numbers for the first of the two downhill races on the Saslong were announced.

"Everything is set on the Saslong"

At the second Team Captains' Meeting in Selva/Wolkenstein on Wednesday evening, those responsible for the 55th Saslong Classic looked ahead to the first of three races that will take place on Thursday.

Live entertainment, party & more: full entertainment program in Val Gardena/Gröden

After a sparser entertainment program in Val Gardena/Gröden in the last two years due to the Covid pandemic, this year's edition of the Saslong Classic is packed with numerous exciting side events.

Bennett, Cochran-Siegle & Co.: The Americans sound the attack

Alongside top favorite Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, the athletes from the US speed team in Val Gardena/Gröden are always among the hottest contenders for a victory in the downhill classic. The U.S. boys feel almost at home on the Saslong and the course plays to their strengths at the foot of the Sassolungo/Langkofel like no other World Cup course.

Numerous TV stations report live from Val Gardena/Gröden

A downhill on Thursday, followed by a super-G on Friday and another downhill as the final highlight on Saturday: A full-on skiing extravaganza is guaranteed in the next few days at the 55th edition of the Saslong Classic. Numerous TV stations will be present at the speed events in Val Gardena/Gröden and will provide skiing enthusiasts around the globe with live footage.

Part 2: Fun facts from 54 issues of Saslong Classic

Stories about triumphant victories and matching defeats. About tricks, daring jumps and rockets under the skis. About animals that have strayed onto the slopes. The list of anecdotes before the 55th Saslong Classic and the 100th World Cup race on the Saslong is long. So here is the second part of a small selection of ten fun facts to read, marvel at and smile about... 

Will the duel between Kilde and Odermatt go into the next round?

Two athletes have left their mark at the start of the 2022/23 season in the speed disciplines. Norway's Aleksander Aamodt Kilde won three of four races overseas and finished second once. Marco Odermatt from Switzerland also claimed a victory, finishing second twice and adding another podium in third place. Will this impressive series continue at the 55th Saslong Classic?

What the media say about the downhill training

In the first and only training run on the Saslong, a relative unknown French racer, Nils Allegre, landed in first place. Numerous national and international media reported from the downhill training in Val Gardena/Gröden.

Here is a short excerpt.

Outsiders stood out in today’s Training

On Tuesday, the first and only training for the two downhill races on the Salsong took place in Val Gardena/Gröden. Under excellent external conditions, the French athlete Nils Allegre surprisingly set the best time.

"We always have a lot of fun here in Val Gardena/Gröden"

The Saslong showed its best side during today’s downhill training and caused many happy faces among athletes in the finish area. We collected a few comments by protagonists after today’s run.

Part 1: Fun facts from 54 issues of Saslong Classic

Stories about triumphant victories and matching defeats. About tricks, daring jumps and rockets under the skis. About animals that have strayed onto the slopes. The list of anecdotes before the 55th Saslong Classic and the 100th World Cup race on the Saslong is long. So here is the first part of a small selection of ten fun facts to read, marvel at and smile about... 

The Saslong editorial team is ready

In Gröden ist alles angerichtet für eine besondere Weltcup-Woche mit insgesamt drei Rennen auf der ehrwürdigen Saslong. Während die Athleten am Dienstag das erste und einzige Training für die beiden Abfahrten in Angriff nehmen, hat auch die Saslong-Redaktion ihre Arbeit aufgenommen.

"The Saslong is like a dream"

The Team Captains' Meeting at the House of Culture in Selva/Wolkenstein officially kicked off the 55th Saslong Classic on Monday evening.

This week, representatives of all 17 teams competing in Val Gardena/Gröden attended the Team Captains' Meeting and were welcomed by Rainer Senoner, President of the Saslong Classic Club. In addition, the FIS technical delegate, Viktor Gichev, wished all athletes a successful race week.

Curtain up for the 55th Saslong Classic in Val Gardena/Gröden

The 55th Saslong Classic was kicked off on Monday with the awarding of the winner of last year's DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy. Bryce Bennett was honored in the context of a harmonious celebration on Lisa's Alm on the legendary downhill course in Val Gardena/Gröden. On Tuesday, 13 December, the first and probably only downhill training is scheduled starting at 11:45 am.

55th Ski World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden officially inaugurated

The employees of the Saslong Classic know this feeling well: Sunday evening before the race and the kick-off meeting is a popular must-attend event for all volunteers receiving the most crucial information about the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Val Gardena/Gröden first hand.

Val Gardena/Gröden Power in the Alpine Ski World Cup

The Saslong is not only centerstage for the exciting speed classics in the Ski World Cup. Three alpine ski racers participating at this highest level of the competition call Val Gardena/Gröden their home.

Speakers in a class of their own in the Saslong stadium

The Ski World Cup lives on emotions, and the speakers at the Finish substantially contribute to this outstanding atmosphere. Because of the 55th Saslong Classic, the organizers rely on the tried and tested. As last year, Claudia Morandini and Stefan Steinacher will fire up the thousands of fans in the Finish Stadium.

A third race for the World Cup Anniversary on the Saslong

The Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Val Gardena will include three races this year. On Thursday, 15th December, in fact, a downhill race will replace the race cancelled in Beaver Creek (USA).

Green light for the World Cup anniversary on the Saslong

It’s all systems go for the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden on December 16 and 17, 2022. After the positive snow check on Saturday, the 55th Saslong Classic on the last weekend before Christmas was officially confirmed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.

The tickets for the 55th Saslong Classic are on sale now!

The whole Europe is facing a heatwave these days. And when the temperature rises above 30 degrees, very few people think about skiing. But winter will come and so will the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, which this year will stop in Val Gardena on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th December. As of now, tickets for the spectacular speed races on the Saslong are available on the official website of the South Tyrolean “ski classic” www.saslong.org 

The 54th Saslong Classic inspires the international ski circuit

Shortly before Christmas, the Saslong Classic Club hosted the best Alpine ski racers for the 54th time as part of the Val Gardena/Gröden Speed Classic. Despite the difficult conditions, the organizers around President Rainer Senoner put together an excellently organized race week and once again provided an outstanding sporting event.

Val Gardena/Gröden is one step closer to the 2029 Alpine Ski World Cup

Despite all the difficulties, Val Gardena/Gröden showed itself from its best side over the past few days and was thrilled to welcome the Alpine Ski World Cup to the Saslong for the 54th time. Italy's candidate for the 2029 World Ski Championships put together an excellently organized race and allowed all athletes, spectators and staff to enjoy the best conditions and a safe atmosphere during the race week.

Bennett also grabs the DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy

With his triumph in the downhill, surprise man Bryce Bennett crowned himself winner of the special prize DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the racer who scores the most World Cup points in the speed events on the Saslong.

"To win here is incredible!"

The American Bryce Bennett has caused a big surprise in the downhill on the Saslong claiming his first World Cup victory. We have captured the voices of the racers.

Bennett takes his first World Cup victory in the downhill classic

Big surprise in the downhill classic on the Saslong: The American Bryce Bennett outdid the entire competition in the highlight of the Val Gardena/Gröden race week claiming his first World Cup victory with a bold performance.