Just four days back the queen of alpine skiing Mikaela Shiffrin won her 91st World Cup victory. It was a rare feat in the technical downhill race at St. Moritz, Switzerland. However, the same cannot be won by her Norwegian alpine ski racer boyfriend Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. Recently on the difficult slopes of Val Gardena, Kilde failed to secure the top spot and was rather far from the podium finishers at the end of the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup downhill first lap.

Many, including Shiffrin, who had been rooting for Kilde, had not expected this setback. But destiny had other plans, and it was yet another trio including an American who triumphed.

Mikaela Shiffrin one up in technical race victory over boyfriend

This Saturday, Shiffrin mastered the difficult course at St. Moritz, finishing 0.15 seconds ahead of notable downhill competitor Sofia Goggia. And today, at the Val Gardena/Gröden men’s first downhill race Aleksander Kilde stood at the tenth spot according to FIS. It was an upsetting finish for the two-time Olympian after securing second at the practice update from yesterday. However, the final second lap put him in the second place after American skier Bryce Bennett.

Notably, Bennett won by just 0.03 seconds over the defending downhill champion in a close race after which settled Marco Odermatt for third place. Interestingly, earlier, podium scene was completely different with 2023 Worlds downhill bronze medalist from Canada, Cameron Alexander, came first followed by American skier and Olympic medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Austrian Olympian Marco Schwarz finished at third in the first lap. 

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The live updates showed how Kilde lost the power position early in the races or even before everyone finished racing. Additionally, Bennett’s ascend from 34th place interrupted Kilde and Odermatt in the middle of interviews to turn around and evaluate the situation. Clearly, Kilde had exuberantly celebrated too soon. Meanwhile, this win was special for Shiffrin’s fellow compatriot.

US takes the opening downhill triumph

After bad weather forced the first three downhill races to be canceled or postponed, the top male skiers were able to show off their technical prowess. American skier Bryce Bennett shocked the top favorites by winning the Val Gardena downhill, defying expectations. However, he had won this race two years prior taking advantage of the Saslong course.

READ MORE Mikaela Shiffrin Announces Real-Winner Amid Rare Victory at St. Moritz in Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2023/24

With three downhill victories by the recently retired Steven Nyman and a super-G victory by Bode Miller, the U.S. team won its sixth championship in Val Gardena. With a victorious finish, for the American’s and a second finish for Kilde, Mikaela Shiffrin has even more reasons for celebrations!

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