Bryce Bennett stuns Aleksander Aamodt Kilde to claim shock win in Val Gardena downhill
Team USA's two-time Olympian triumphed on the Saslong track for the second time in two years, narrowly defeating the downhill champion from Norway.
Alpine Skiing
Bryce Bennett kicked off the 2023/24 Alpine Ski World Cup speed season with a surprising victory in the Val Gardena downhill on Thursday (14 December).
The 31-year-old Californian skier, starting with bib number 34, took advantage of the improving conditions on the Saslong track to snatch what looked like a secure victory from World Cup downhill champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.
Exactly two years ago, Bennett claimed his first and - until today - only World Cup victory in the Italian resort, and he replicated that success, narrowly beating the Norwegian by a mere 0.03 seconds at the finish line.
"It was quite a surprise to land and see green at the finish, but that feels good, I'm super excited to start the season off this way" Bennett told FIS after the race.
"The main difference is the last time I won was like a really complete surprise. Like I was three seconds out in training, every day. This season I really want to move it forward and I want to be competitive all year long."
Kilde, aiming for his fourth Val Gardena downhill win, had initially set the fastest time by narrowly edging out temporary leader and Swiss rival Marco Odermatt.
With this second podium in as many races, Odermatt earned 60 points to tie Austria's Marco Schwarz at the top of the overall standings with 160 pouints.
Val Gardena, FIS World Cup: Results of men's downhill on Thursday 14 December 2023 (Top 10):
- Bryce Bennett (USA) 1:23.80
- Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) +0.03
- Marco Odermatt (SUI) +0.05
- Nils Allegre (FRA) +0.13
- James Crawford (CAN) +0.32
- Stefan Babinsky (AUT) +0.36
- Mathieu Bailet (FRA) +0.41
- Marco Kohler (SUI) +0.42
- Romed Baumann (GER) +0.43
- Cameron Alexander (CAN) +0.48