Nyman Leads Four Into Top 30 at Wengen

WENGEN, Switzerland (January 16, 2016) – Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) battled through fog and flat light to lead four American’s into the top 30 in the classic Lauberhorn downhill Saturday.

Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal won the Audi FIS Ski World Cup downhill in dominating fashion on the shortened course, which started from the combined downhill start due to weather conditions. Austria’s Hannes Reichelt and Klaus Kroll were second and third respectively. The victory, which is his first classic downhill win, moved Svindal into the overall World Cup lead by 15 points over Austria’s Marcel Hirscher, who did not compete Saturday.

Travis Ganong competes in the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup downhill Saturday in Wengen. (Getty/Agence Zoom-Alexis Boichard)

For the Americans, Nyman finished 16th, Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) was 21st, Jared Goldberg (Holladay, UT) 27th and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) was 30th. Wiley Maple (Aspen, CO) was 34th, Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, CA) was 40th, and Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA) was 42nd.

Nyman, who was 14th in the Lauberhorn last year, was well on his way to what could have been a top 10 finish before he was tossed around through Canadian Corner, and got back on his tails.

“We always have to focus on the positives,” Nyman said. “I had three very fast splits and two very slow splits. Today I got really bumped and went wide …  but I was fast on the bottom, which I was happy with.”

The story of the day though was the fog and flat light as racers experienced numerous course holds, including France’s Guillermo Fayad (bib 22), who was held at the start after Ganong (bib 21) crossed the line in what he described as a dangerous race due to the poor visibility.

“Coming out of the tunnel, I couldn’t even see one gate ahead of me, nothing zero … all I could see was the fence – zero visibility,” Ganong said. “It’s really unfortunate that Fayed and I had to deal with those conditions … its really not fair and it’s really dangerous. We had no chance on a day like today.”

Fortunately, the weather cooperated enough to allow all athletes an opportunity to race. But, as Nyman noted, changing weather conditions are all part of the sport.

“The early guys had good light, then I had flat light, but it was OK,” said Nyman, who started 14th. “Then the fog rolled in and it’s obviously and unfair race, but you just have to send it and hope for the best. I’ve taken advantage of good weather before. I won Gardena with good weather from the back.

“What was impressive was Klaus Kroll (bib 4), he had good light, but he hasn’t been skiing well for about two years now, and he’s on the podium,” Nyman added.

Up next, the men compete in slalom Sunday at Wengen. First run is 4:30 a.m. (EST) and the second run is 7:30 a.m. (EST) and will be streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Steven Nyman was the top American finisher in 16th. His previous best result at Wengen was 11th in 2007 and 2008.
• Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal won his 12th career World Cup downhill race, and his first downhill victory on the Lauberhorn.
• Svindal now leads the overall World Cup standings by 16 points over Austria’s Marcel Hirscher.
• NBC will broadcast the men’s downhill Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (EST)

QUOTES

Travis Ganong
Coming out of the tunnel, I couldn’t even see one gate ahead of me, nothing zero … all I could see was the fence – zero visibility

It’s really unfortunate that (France’s Guillermo) Fayed and I had to deal with those conditions … its really not fair and it’s really dangerous. We had no chance on a day like today.

Steven Nyman
We always have to focus on the positives. I had three very fast splits and two very slow splits. Today I got really bumped and went wide … I was fast on the bottom, which I was happy with.
The early guys had good light, then I had flat light, but it was OK. Then the fog rolled in and it’s obviously and unfair race, but you just have to send it and hope for the best. I’ve taken advantage of good weather before. I won Gardena with good weather from the back.

What was impressive was Klaus Kroll, he had good light, but he hasn’t been skiing well for about two years now, and he’s on the podium.

BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAMING (times EST)

Saturday, Jan. 16
3:30 p.m. - Men’s Downhill (re-air), Wengen - NBC

Sunday, Jan. 17
4:30 a.m. - Men’s Slalom Run 1, Wengen - NBC Sports Live Extra.
7:30 a.m. - Men’s Slalom Run 2, Wengen - NBC Sports Live Extra.
7:00 p.m. – Men’s Slalom, Wengen - NBC

RESULTS|
Men’s downhill