LILLEHAMMER, Norway — Dominik Paris, the veteran Italian speedster, claimed victory in the final men’s downhill race of the World Cup season on Saturday, edging out Olympic champion Franjo von Allmen by a mere 0.19 seconds. The win, secured on the challenging Olympiabakken course in Kvitfjell, Norway, marked Paris’s 20th career downhill triumph and a welcome return to the top of the podium after a season of near misses. While the overall downhill title had already been secured by Marco Odermatt a week prior, Paris’s performance underscored his enduring skill and competitive spirit in a discipline demanding both precision and courage.
This victory is particularly significant for Paris, solidifying his place among the elite in downhill skiing. It’s his fifth win at Kvitfjell, a venue where he has consistently demonstrated his prowess. The Olympiabakken course, known for its demanding terrain and challenging conditions, once again tested the limits of the world’s best skiers. Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr finished third, 0.60 seconds behind Paris, completing the podium.
Odermatt’s Consistency Despite a Rare Slip
While Odermatt didn’t top the standings on Saturday, finishing seventh and 0.92 seconds off the pace, his overall performance throughout the season remains remarkable. The Swiss skier had already clinched both the overall World Cup title and the downhill globe last week, following a third-place finish behind Kriechmayr in the penultimate downhill race in France. FIS Ski reported that Odermatt’s consistency throughout the season was a key factor in his success.
“I am not disappointed, for sure not, but also for sure, I wanted to be a little faster today to finish the season on a podium,” Odermatt said, acknowledging his desire for a stronger finish. Despite Saturday’s result, he emphasized the positive aspects of his season, stating, “This year was my most consistent downhill season. I performed in every race, today was by far the worse race.” His dominance in the downhill standings, with a 191-point lead over teammate von Allmen, speaks to his exceptional form.
Alexander Represents Canada with a Solid Performance
Representing Canada, Cameron Alexander of North Vancouver, British Columbia, finished 12th, 1.32 seconds behind Paris. While not a podium finish, it was a respectable result for the Canadian skier in a highly competitive field.
The second-most successful downhill skier of all time secured his 20th career downhill victory. It was the Italian’s first win of the season, coming in the downhill season finale.
A Historic Victory for Paris
Saturday’s win marked Paris’s 20th downhill victory, placing him second on the all-time list, just behind Austrian legend Franz Klammer, who holds the record with 25 wins. He surpassed Peter Müller of Switzerland, moving into outright second place. This achievement underscores Paris’s longevity and consistent performance at the highest level of the sport. He previously won two races at the same venue in Norway a year ago, demonstrating his affinity for the Kvitfjell course.
Cameron Alexander of North Vancouver, B.C., ended up with a time of 1:46.69 to cap his downhill season in Lillehammer.
Odermatt’s impressive season extends beyond the downhill discipline. He secured the super-G globe last weekend and is well-positioned to contend for the giant slalom title at the finals on Tuesday. His consistent performance across multiple disciplines highlights his versatility and dominance in alpine skiing.
Watch the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup men’s downhill season finale from Lillehammer, Norway.
The men’s World Cup finals continue on Sunday with the super-G race, offering another opportunity for skiers to showcase their skills before the season concludes. Live coverage will be available on CBC Sports and CBC Gem, starting at 7:30 a.m. ET.
The focus now shifts to Tuesday’s giant slalom competition, where Odermatt will aim to add another globe to his impressive collection. The alpine skiing world will be watching closely as the season draws to a close, and athletes prepare for the challenges ahead.
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