Mayer flies to Bormio downhill victory
Dec 30, 2020·Alpine Skiing
Austrian Matthias Mayer held on for the victory in today’s Audi FIS World Cup downhill in Bormio (ITA) in the closest race of the season, edging teammate Vincent Kriechmayr by a mere 0.04 seconds. Finishing in third place just 0.06 off the winning pace was Urs Kryenbühl (SUI).
It was a wild ride in today’s downhill that so no less than five racers not make it a third of the way down the course after two passages at the top proved to be challenging for the field. Fortunately, all the DNF racers were able to make it off the course on their own.
It was the first podium of the season and the sixth career downhill victory for Mayer, who acknowledged after the race, that the victory could have gone to anyone.
“It was a very challenging race today and a very close one,” said Mayer. “From start to finish you had to give it everything. You can’t say that this curve was better or that curve made the difference. When the race is so close anyone can win.”
The lead changed hands three times in the span of four races. Kryenbühl with bib #10 knocked his teammate Mauro Caviezel out of the leader’s chair, only to lose his spot there before he could sit down when Kriechmayr topped him by 0.02 seconds. Just two racers later, came Mayer who hung on for the eventual 0.04 second victory.
Mayer had a good scare when Mr. Stelvio, Dominik Paris (ITA) looked like he could be the next to land in the leader’s box, but ultimately, he finished 0.13 seconds behind, good for fourth place. A strong showing for the Italian after starting his comeback from an ACL injury suffered last season.
The speed athletes will have a chance to catch their breath before they are back on duty in mid-January for the famed Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen (SUI). Until then, the tech racers will be in the spotlight with stops in Zagren (CRO) and Adelboden (SUI).
