Cyprien Sarrazin claims first World Cup win leaving Marco Odermatt waiting for first downhill win - 'It's crazy'

BySportsbeat

Updated 28/12/2023 at 14:37 GMT

Cyprien Sarrazin skied sensationally on the notoriously difficult Bormio track, pipping Marco Odermatt to the title by a slender 0.09 seconds. He became the first Frenchman to win on the course in 27 years, and was understandably elated after the race. The podium was completed by Canadian Cameron Alexander, who clocked a time of 1:51.96. Marco Schwarz was sent to hospital after injuring his knee.

'A man on an absolute mission' - Sarrazin produces fantastic Men's Downhill run in Bormio

France's Cyprien Sarrazin claimed his first career downhill World Cup win with an eventful triumph in Bormio.

The 29-year-old clocked a time of 1:50.73, narrowly pipping Marco Odermatt by 0.09 seconds as the Swiss star's quest for a World Cup downhill win of his own this season continued.

Sarrazin defied difficult conditions on the notoriously challenging track and upset pre-race favourites to become the first French men's downhill winner at Bormio since Luc Alphond in 1996.

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"Finally I did a great run from the first gate to the finish line," he said. "I felt so great, I enjoyed it. I pushed all along. I think it's crazy.

"When I crossed the line I thought 'yes, you did your job, and it is amazing'.

"It means a lot for me. After all the injuries, bad moments and good moments in my career, today I feel great.

"I wasn't nervous, I knew I could do something. I said, just be yourself and see what happens."

Canadian Cameron Alexander finished third with a time of 1:51.96 as 'King of Bormio' Dominik Paris, who has triumphed on the course six times, fell in the mid-section of the race, catching his inside ski on a bump.

Last season's downhill champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, and the previous year's Bormio winner Vincent Kriechmayr, both caught stones on the course.

Marco Schwarz suffered the worst crash of the day, and was helicoptered to hospital with a suspected injury to his right knee.

The racing continues tomorrow with the men's super G.

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