Dominik Paris believes: "Anything can happen"

The anticipation is growing for the Val Gardena stage, which is ready to get underway. After the cancellation of the second timed round of the men’s World Cup downhill due to adverse weather conditions, the Italian downhill skiers are looking toward the first of two planned runs on the Saslong. On Thursday, December 18 from 11:45 a.m. one of the two races not held in Beaver Creek will be made up, on a shortened course, then between Friday and Saturday space will be given to the original program with the super-G and the second downhill, integral.

Luca Giorgetti

Third in the only race held, Dominik Paris at the foot of Sassolungo won the 2023 downhill. “The test went quite well – he said -, tomorrow in the race the slope will be shorter and with rain there might be some changes. I hope to find similar conditions among us in the top group: I am quite positive, if I get everything right I can be fast. Who do I see well? Ah, definitely Paris! Jokes aside, obviously the Swiss, Austrians, Americans, Norwegians: everything is possible on the Saslong. Hopefully Italy will also be there and present”.

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Mattia Casse triumphed in Val Gardena in the last season’in super-G. “An interesting triptych awaits us, certainly suited to my chords – he admitted -Three races to be tackled at full speed, without fear, without too much thought. I imagine we will all be very close and every mistake here is paid dearly. I’m fine, the snow is finally European snow and I’ll try to put in all the speed I have. In Val Gardena we know that surprises can come: that’s precisely why it’s important to be as far ahead as possible: if then an outsider comes along and wins with a high bib … good for him!”.

Florian Schieder is not only looking ahead to the downhill in Val Gardena: “Let’s see tomorrow how the snow conditions will be. I think the waves have been worked well: I am aware that on the Saslong you often jump, but after Monday’s test I am confident. The path of downhillers in fact has just begun: personally I usually get into shape from Wengen onwards, so I hope to be at the super top between the end of January and February”.

Guglielmo Bosca complains of a few aches and pains: “Hopefully the knee will allow me to do all three races, because it bothers me a bit: I’m aiming more at the super-G on Friday, then we’ll see how it goes. Monday’s practice left some marks but I am aware that my skiing is effective, I know I can be fast and the goal is to be at the best possible level to play my cards”.