Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal wins a downhill
The Associated Press
Aspen, CO Colorado

AP | AP
ARE, Sweden ” Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway won the men’s World Cup downhill finale to take the overall lead Wednesday, and Michael Walchhofer clinched the downhill championship.
Svindal, skiing on the hill where he won the downhill gold at the 2007 World Championships, completed the Olympia course in 1 minute, 22.26 seconds.
Didier Cuche of Switzerland was second, 0.20 behind. Hans Olsson of Sweden finished third, 0.36 back.
Svindal leads the overall standings with 929 points. Benjamin Raich of Austria, another former overall champion and a gate specialist, advanced to second with 857 points after placing 13th.
Cuche moved to third with 843 points. Ivica Kostelic of Croatia, who shared the overall lead with Raich going into the race, dropped to fourth with 837 points after finishing 17th.
Three races ” a super G, giant slalom and slalom ” remain at these finals.
Walchhofer clinched the downhill title when his only challenger, Austrian teammate Klaus Kroell, only managed the ninth fastest time. Kroell trailed Walchhofer by 75 points going into the race. A win is worth 100 points.
Walchhofer, who started behind Kroell, skied out and did not finish the race. It was his third downhill championship since 2005.
He finished with 470 points. Kroell had 424.
The Olympia course was shortened nearly 300 meters because of fog at the 1,240-meter start altitude.

Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism
Readers around Aspen and Snowmass Village make the Aspen Times’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.
User Legend: Moderator
Trusted User
Mountain Games, now celebrating 20 years, evolved out of ’70s and ’80s Vail recreation
When mountain culture enthusiasts and athletes descend on Vail for the 20th annual Mountain Games from June 7-12, they will carry on a tradition that dates back to the 1970s in Eagle County and was once deemed illegal.