We’ll always have Paris, in Bormio
Dominik Paris wins downhill, five years later, on same course
After a five-year absence, Dominik Paris rediscovered that winning feeling on the Stelvio downhill course.
Returning to the site of his first World Cup victory, Paris dominated on home snow Thursday to end the season-long podium drought for Italy’s men’s team.
“I’ve still got the same feeling here,” Paris said. “I had a lot of confidence even after the training run.”
Paris won by a slim 0.04-second margin ahead of Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway on the demanding Stelvio course, which was softer than usual due to heavy snowfall a day earlier.
Kjetil Jansrud of Norway finished third, 0.17 seconds behind.
It was the ninth career win for Paris, a muscular skier who has also claimed the feared downhill in Kitzbuehel, Austria, twice.
After his 2012 win, Paris missed the downhill on the Stelvio in 2013 due to injury. Then the race was moved to nearby Santa Caterina Valfurva for the past three years.
“I’m glad it’s back in Bormio,” said Paris, who keeps his responses brief and to the point.
Last season, the Italian team set a squad record with 43 podium results — 25 for the women and 18 for the men. This season, they have six for the women and now one for the men.
“Now I hope I can maintain this form for the classics,” Paris said, looking forward to the downhills next month in Wengen, Switzerland, and Kitzbuehel.
Svindal and Jansrud had already completed their runs and were preparing to celebrate when Paris came down and got the crowd roaring by leading through the first two checkpoints.
Paris trailed slightly at the last split but was able to carry his speed through the final zigzag turns — when lactic acid was bursting through his muscles — and create a minimal advantage.
The Italian’s speed topped out at 129.7 km/h.
At the finish, Paris pumped his fists and waved to the crowd.
“The two Norwegians are always fast so you’ve got to pull out something extra to beat them,” Paris said.
When he was an overly aggressive child, Paris was sent by his father to meditate amid grazing cows in the mountains.
Now, he expends his energy on the world’s toughest downhill courses — or by playing heavy metal music with his guitar.
An Alpine combined race is scheduled for the Stelvio on Friday.