Innherofer wins second downhill of season
WENGEN, Switzerland (AFP) –
Christof Innerhofer wins the World Cup downhill race in Wengen on Saturday. Italy’s super-G world champion Christof Innerhofer won his second downhill of the season on Saturday taking one of the races regarded as a classic on the circuit.
Italy’s super-G world champion Christof Innerhofer won his second downhill of the season here on Saturday taking one of the races regarded as a classic on the circuit.
The 28-year-old, who was recording the fifth World Cup win of his career, won in 2min 29.82 sec, beating two Austrians, Klaus Kroell, who timed 30hundredths of a second slower, and Hannes Reichelt, who was 76hundredths adrift.
Frenchman Johan Clarey set a new record for speed in an alpine ski race as he reached a speed of 161.9 km/h at one point but could finish only fifth.
Innerhofer, whose previous downhill success this season was at Beaver Creek, skied the perfect race and confirmed the good form he had shown on Friday when he had recorded the fastest time in the shortened downhill in the combined.
“I attacked as much as I dared to,” said Innerhofer.
“I knew that Klaus Kroell wouldn’t mess about.”
Innerhofer said he hoped this victory would change the course of his career.
“Before, I was the champion in training. I decided that was all going to change. At the end of my career I would prefer to have registered several victories instead of a whole load of eighth places.”
Kroell for his part admitted that he hadn’t thought Innerhofer’s time was beatable.
“I think that Christof Innerhofer was the best,” said the 32-year-old.
“I watched him start and frankly there was no way that I could gain that amount of time on him. I am satisfied with second place. I hope that at Kitzbuehel (next weekend) I will move up one place.”
Clarey, who bettered the mark set on Friday by Swiss Carlo Janka, took his feat in humorous fashion.
“I have the speed record, its the news of the day! I am really happy. And I think I will keep it for a while,” he said.
Norwegian veteran Aksel Lund Svindal retained the overall lead in the downhill standings despite a disappointing run.