Val Gardena (Italy) (AFP)

Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who already won the super-G on Friday, was again the fastest in the descent of Val Gardena on Saturday, taking the lead in the overall World Cup standings at the same time.

Under the "gaze" of the wooden statues of spectators installed in the stands at the bottom of the Italian track, unable to accommodate flesh and blood supporters due to coronavirus, the defending champion of the big globe made a mistake. fault to win his sixth World Cup victory (three in super-G, three in downhill).

Half of his successes have now been acquired on this Saslong track in Val Gardena, where the Norwegians have been at home in recent years, since he had also won downhill in 2018.

With this card full in the Dolomites, the athletic Scandinavian confirms that he will have to be counted on to defend his big globe won last season: with the 100 points awarded to the winner, he indeed takes the lead of the general classification of the Cup. of the world (335 pts) in front of the Swiss Marco Odermatt (290 pts), who did not participate in the downhill after taking points on Friday in the super-G, and the French Alexis Pinturault (276 pts), who made the dead end on this stage.

Kilde edged the unexpected American Ryan Cochran-Siegle by 22 hundredths, who claimed his first World Cup podium in 99 races.

The United States also managed a nice group shot at the top of the standings, with 4th place tied for Bryce Bennett and 6th for Jared Goldberg.

The Swiss Beat Feuz, winner of the small globe of the specialty last season, takes third place, as in 2018, 54 hundredths behind the Norwegian.

On the other hand, the outsiders who had invited themselves on the surprise podium of the first downhill of the season in Val d'Isère, a week ago, have fallen into line, all finishing beyond 20th place.

Slovenian Martin Cater, winner in the Alps, finished 25th more than two seconds behind.

The Italian Dominik Paris continues to pick up his marks gently, eleven months after his serious knee injury, but is still sailing far from the best, in 15th place.

For all those disappointed today, see you in Bormio on December 28 and 29 for the next speed stage.

© 2020 AFP