Justin Murisier flies over the "Birds of Prey"
Image: Keystone
Marco Odermatt doesn't manage a perfect run, but 2nd place is still enough for the man from Nidwalden
Image: Keystone
Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin loses a good second to Murisier
Image: Keystone
Justin Murisier flies over the "Birds of Prey"
Image: Keystone
Marco Odermatt doesn't manage a perfect run, but 2nd place is still enough for the man from Nidwalden
Image: Keystone
Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin loses a good second to Murisier
Image: Keystone
Justin Murisier sensationally wins the first downhill of the season ahead of Marco Odermatt. However, a serious crash by Swiss downhill racer Arnaud Boisset overshadows the double victory.
Murisier, who has gradually shifted his focus from giant slalom to the speed disciplines in recent years, was two tenths faster in perfect weather and slope conditions than Odermatt, who had started as the big favorite after convincing training sessions and the downhill crystal globe in the previous winter. Third place was also surprisingly taken by Miha Hrobat from Slovenia, who started the race with bib number 1, 35 hundredths behind.
Vincent Kriechmayr and Cyprien Sarrazin, Odermatt's first regular challengers, are in 5th and 9th place. The Frenchman Sarrazin, who was on a par with Odermatt in the downhill last season, is clearly the runner-up, one second behind the best time.
Boisset's heavy crash overshadows double victory
The race was interrupted for a while after 26 racers due to a heavy fall into the safety nets by Swiss downhill racer Arnaud Boisset.
The 26-year-old from Valais lost his balance after a jump in the final section and hit his head on the piste. At high speed, he then crashed into the safety nets and came to a halt. As pictures show, the 26-year-old was conscious when he was transported away on the rescue sled.
First downhill victory for Murisier
Under the watchful eye of the injured Aleksander Kilde, who was present, Murisier conjured up a run in the snow with the number 3, which the competition has so far been fighting tooth and nail to beat. The 32-year-old from Valais, who has been slowed down by several serious knee injuries in his career, took some time off the favorites, especially on the flat top section of the course.
He managed an excellent ride. This was after he had been very slow in training in Copper Mountain last week, said the emotionally overwhelmed Murisier in his first reaction to the SRF microphone.
If the result holds, the former giant slalom and combined specialist Murisier will not only celebrate his first downhill victory in Beaver Creek, but also his first success in the World Cup. His best result to date is 3rd place in the giant slalom in Alta Badia in 2020. His best result in the downhill is 4th place a year ago in Bormio.
Murisier's buddy Odermatt missed out on victory, but still made up for his failure in Sölden in the first speed race of the winter. In the giant slalom on the Rettenbach glacier, the overall World Cup winner of the last three seasons was eliminated at the end of October after posting strong split times.
Two more men's races are on the program this weekend in Beaver Creek - a super-G on Saturday (18:30 Swiss time) and a giant slalom on Sunday (18:00/21:00).
The live ticker for the recap
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06.12.2024 20:45
Double victory is perfect
The first 30 racers are down and the Swiss one-two victory can no longer be shaken! Justin Murisier sensationally wins the first downhill of the season ahead of Marco Odermatt.
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06.12.2024 20:44
Boisset conscious?
According to information from "Blick", Arnaud Boisset is conscious and on his way to hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery!
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06.12.2024 20:35
The race continues
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06.12.2024 20:30
Update on Boisset
After around 20 minutes of care on the side of the piste, Arnaud Boisset is now being taken down to the valley on the rescue sled. There is still no word on his state of health. Let's hope for good news.
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06.12.2024 20:11
Shock in Beaver Creek
Arnaud Boisset crashes heavily in 26th place. The Swiss skier lost his balance after a jump in the final section and hit his head on the slope. At high speed, he then crashes into the safety nets and remains lying down. Minutes later, the 26-year-old from Valais is still being cared for on the spot. There is currently no information about his state of health.
![Arnaud Boisset is being cared for at the scene of the accident.]()
Arnaud Boisset is being cared for at the scene of the accident. -
06.12.2024 19:30
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