Vincent Kriechmayr clinches home downhill win on the Streif in Kitzbühel

Vincent Kriechmayr gave the Austrian fans something to cheer on Friday (20 January) on the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbühel by winning the first of two Alpine Ski World Cup downhill races.

Kriechmayr's strong start and finish down the Streif piste ensured the 31-year-old secured his third race win of the season in front of a loud and excited home crowd, finishing in 1:56.16.

Although Friday's race was not the Hahnenkamm Classic downhill – that will take place on Saturday – Kriechmayr still looked delighted at having won on one of the circuit's most traditional stops, and arguably the most difficult course of them all.

The cloudy conditions and low visibility were no problem for Kriechmayr, but it did catch many others out including Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, the discipline World Cup leader and another race favourite, who finished nearly a second off the pace.

Conditions continued to improve through the race, however, and the 43rd starter down the hill, Florian Schieder of Italy, produced a stunning run on a slope that was improving with every athlete.

Schieder scored a shock podium with a second place, 0.23 seconds behind Kriechmayr, and had even been 0.64 seconds inside Kriechmayr's time at one of the timing checks on course before lost time in the closing segments.

"The sensation on the lower part (of the course) was good, but on the upper part I made a mistake and thought the race was gone," a delighted Schieder told Eurosport. "I was surprised at the finish! Now I have a top-30 (bib start) tomorrow, so we will see what happens and I will do my best."

Switzerland's Niels Hintermann finished third, 0.31 seconds behind Kriechmayr.

However, a lengthy near-25-minute delay after a heavy crash for Henrik Roea meant the last 10 racers once again had to contend with bad visbility, ensuring that no-one else would crack the top 20.

With Marco Odermatt finishing well off the pace after taking an apparent heavy knock to his left leg – Eurosport's television commentary reported later that he was spotted limping in the finish area, and concerns were raised about his fitness for the rest of the season – Kilde maintains his position at the top of the downhill standings, albeit now leading by just 101 points from Kriechmayr.

Odermatt continues to hold a significant advantage in the overall Crystal Globe race, leading Kilde by 325 points.