There have been some Austrian successes in the speed disciplines this season. Together, Matthias Mayer, Hannes Reichelt, Vincent Kriechmayr and Max Franz scored not less than 12 podiums, including Kriechmayr’s win in the super-g in Beaver Creek. In addition to that, the Olympic title of super-g went to Matthias Mayer. However, the Austrians can’t explain themselves happy without a downhill win. And this win came in the very last race of the season, with not only one athlete at the top of the podium, but two, tied for the win. Vincent Kriechmayr celebrates his first success in downhill, while Matthias Mayr claims his 5th World Cup win, the 3rd in downhill.

In third place today at the downhill in Are, Switzerland’s Beat Feuz was relieved. Not only because it’s another podium for him this season, the 7th in downhill (!), but because this consistence allowed him to clinch the first crystal globe in his career. Being the 2018 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Downhill winner means a lot to Beat Feuz, especially after he missed three globes, including the Overall, for only 25 points back in 2012.

Throughout the season, the main contender of Beat Feuz was the attacking Viking Aksel Lund Svindal. The Norwegian won the Olympic downhill, but also in Beaver Creek and in Val Gardena. With six podiums this season, he trailed Beat Feuz all the way to the very end of the season but had to give up the dream of holding his 12th globe after his performance in today’s race.

The last spot on the podium standings goes to younggun Thomas Dressen. The German, who had the honour to win both the Kitzbuehel and the Kvitfjell downhills, had his breakthrough this season and proved to be very constant. His best season ranking at this point was his 25th place in downhill last season.

Tomorrow, the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in Are, Sweden, will go on with the super-g race. The ladies’ will start first at 10:30, and the men will follow at 12:00. The crystal globe is already in Kjetil Jansrud’s possession, but the fight for the win of the day promises to be very exciting.

Source: fis-ski.com