Aleksander Aamodt Kilde wins in Aspen to clinch back-to-back World Cup downhill Crystal Globe
The Norwegian bagged his sixth World Cup downhill victory of the season to seal the Crystal Globe for a second consecutive year. Kilde outpaced James Crawford and Marco Odermatt in Aspen for the crown.
Alpine Skiing
Norwegian speed king Aleksander Aamodt Kilde wrapped up his second consecutive Alpine Ski World Cup downhill Crystal Globe with a victory in Aspen, Colorado, on Saturday, 4 March.
Kilde's coronation was delayed after Friday's downhill race was cancelled and results scratched due to inclement weather.
The double Olympic medallist returned to the top of the podium – a familiar position in his 2022/23 campaign – for his sixth victory in his pet event.
Kilde flew down the slope in a winning time of 1:31.60, giving him a 0.61s advantage over his nearest rival, James Crawford of Canada. Newly minted downhill world champion Marco Odermatt of Switzerland finished third with a time of 1:32.23.
Winning his second Crystal Globe would serve as a special consolation prize after finishing second behind Odermatt at the world championships despite being the leading man in the event throughout the season. The world title victory in Courchevel was Odermatt's first major downhill victory of his career.
But the World Cup downhill season belonged to Kilde after winning six of the nine men's events with one more in hand. The season will draw to a close at the final World Cup event on 15 March at Soldeu, Andorra.
Austria's Vincent Kriechmayr, who won three races this season, finished fourth on Saturday in Aspen with a time of 1:32.30.
Results downhill in Aspen Men's World Cup on 4 March 2023 (top 10)
- Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) 1:31.60
- James Crawford (CAN) +0.61
- Marco Oedermatt (SUI) +0.63
- Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) +0.70
- Johan Clarey (FRA) +0.82
- Niels Hintermann (SUI) +0.85
- = Dominik Paris (ITA) +0.97, Florian Schieder (ITA) +0.97
- Andreas Sander (GER) +1.01
- Bryce Benett (USA) +1.04
World Cup downhill standings after Aspen downhill on 4 March 2023
- Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) 720 pts.
- Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) 514
- Marco Odermatt (SUI) 446
World Cup overall standings after Aspen downhill on 4 March 2023
- Marco Odermatt (SUI) 1,526 pts.
- Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) 1,180
- Henrik Kristofferson (NOR) 874