Goldberg Top 10; Bennett 14th in Val Gardena Super-G
On Friday’s Val Gardena men’s super-G, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team had a strong day placing four in the top 30, highlighted by Jared Goldberg’s 10th place result.
The race conditions were strong once again for the speed racers. The super-G set was fairly open and straight, favoring those that can glide and carry speed well. As the day went on, the light improved and the track maintained its quality, giving racers in the back a very good chance to move up.
The day's podium was set in stone after 30 racers with Austrian Vincent Kriechmayr in the top position, his teammate Daniel Hemetsberger just two hundredths behind in second and Swiss skier Marco Odermatt in third, a mere three hundredths behind the pace.
Goldberg ran bib 46 and immediately had quick splits. He catapulted himself into the top 10, ultimately landing a 10th place finish in a three-way tie. He shared the position with Italian Guglielmo Bosca and Canadian Jeffrey Read.
“I feel really good because I skied how I wanted to and was really locked into the front of the boot with control,” said Goldberg. “I was in a good mindset after racing yesterday and today I was out there skiing for fun.”
The fast skiing continued with Bryce Bennett, fresh off a win the day before, running with bib 62. His fast skiing and confidence came through with his splits in the green. Bennett was on the cusp of another podium finish until he had a slight bobble toward the end slowing his speed. Bennett crossed the line in 14th place.
“This is the most super-G I have ever skied in a prep period and what I practiced this summer was urgency. We are moving forward and we are going to keep pushing,” said Bennett. “There were some really good splits so I am happy and I am hoping to keep the momentum rolling.”
Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Kyle Negomir and Sam Morse also made it into the top 30. Negomir was just shy of a career best finish in 24th place and Morse in 30th. Ryan Cochran-Siegle, River Radamus and Sam DuPratt also raced and ended up in 44th, 48th and 52nd.
“It feels good to make more turns in super-G. The course was pretty easy and you had to be extremely clean while also taking as much risk as you can,” said Negomir.
The speed men are ready for another crack at the Val Gardena downhill Saturday, feeling positive about the chances for the squad.
“Team vibes are good. We are supportive of each other having a lot of fun and we can see we have good speed and can win,” said Goldberg. “The target is on my back I think but it doesn't matter, you still have to execute and focus on that,” said Bennett.
The men will start the downhill Saturday from the top of the slope, making for another exciting day of men’s alpine skiing.
RESULTS
HOW TO WATCH (Times in ET)
5:45 a.m. - Val Gardena/Gröden, men’s downhill, skiandsnowboard.live
