Welcome to our weekly round-up of the thrilling world of winter sports, where the excitement of the FIS events and other global competitions has kept fans on the edge of their seats. From the snow-covered slopes to the icy tracks, here’s your dose of high-speed action, skilful manoeuvres and thrilling performances from around the world. Here’s all you need to know:
FIS ALPINE SKIING WORLD CUP
March 9: Kvitfjell, Norway
– Dominik Paris won his second race in three days in Kvitfjell, delivering a near-perfect run in Sunday’s super G to secure his 50th World Cup podium. The Italian veteran was at his very best as he secured his first super G victory since 2019, finishing well clear of Canada’s James Crawford and Miha Hrobat of Slovenia.
– Paris, 35, said: “It was really good skiing from my side and the feeling was amazing. I was just trying to be smooth and to bring always the speed. Seeing the green light, that was really surprising for me too.”
March 8: Kvitfjell, Norway
– Newly crowned world champion Franjo von Allmen’s rich vein of form continued on Saturday as he claimed victory in the downhill event in Norway. The 23-year-old dominated the crucial mid-section to finish 0.28s ahead of fellow Swiss superstar Marco Odermatt. Stefan Rogentin made it a clean sweep for the Swiss team as he claimed third place.
– Von Allmen, who trails Odermatt by 83 points in the downhill standings, said: “It’s amazing. Especially after yesterday when I wasn’t as confident on the soft snow. But today, with the cold temperatures and the compact snow, it felt much better.”
March 8: Are, Sweden
– Alice Robinson remains top of the World Cup giant slalom standings after securing second place in Sweden. The Kiwi ace looked to be heading for victory after producing a stunning second run, only for Italy’s Federica Brignone – the last skier out of the gate – to snatch victory. Albania’s Lara Colturi also returned to the podium as she snatched third place from Thea Stjernesund of Norway.
March 7: Kvitfjell, Norway
– Italian Dominik Paris finally got back on the top step of the podium on Friday when he beat out the Swiss fliers to win the Kvitfjell downhill race, the 19th FIS World Cup downhill win of his career. The 35-year-old sealed a record fourth win on the Olympiabakken with a time of one minute and 44.67 seconds, leaving Swiss trio Marco Odermatt, Stefan Rogentin and Franjo von Allmen behind in second, third and fourth.
– Paris, who also won here in 2016, 2019 and 2022, and now stands level with Switzerland’s Peter Müller in second place on the all-time World Cup downhill winners list, said: “I don’t know if I am the King but I am feeling well, it’s a good hill for me. It’s a bit technique, a lot of feeling. You have to be very smooth and I know the key section. That makes it a bit easier. It means a lot, it was a hard year.”
FIS NORDIC WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
March 8: Trondheim, Norway
– Germany’s Vinzenz Geiger powered past Jens Luraas Oftebro of Norway to claim the bronze medal in the Men’s Individual Gundersen LH/10km at the Nordic Ski World Championships. Geiger, who claimed team gold with Germany, as well as mixed team silver and individual normal hill bronze last week, finished behind Jarl Magnus Riiber of Norway and Norway’s Joergen Graabak.
March 8: Trondheim, Norway
– Japan’s Ryōyū Kobayashi produced a huge second jump of 137 metres to win a bronze medal in the men’s Large Hill event on Saturday. The 28-year-old was well down the pecking order after the first round but delivered when it mattered most to secure his place on the podium, finishing 17.1 points behind champion Slovenian Domen Prevc and 1.9 points back from silver medalist Jan Hoerl of Austria.
March 7: Trondheim, Norway
– Vinzenz Geiger helped Germany overcome Austria in a tense Nordic Combined Men’s Team battle to earn gold at the World Championships. The 27-year-old powered clear of Fabio Obermeyr (AUT) on the final 5km leg to ensure Germany triumphed in the event for the first time since 2017. Johannes Lamparter and his Austrian team claimed silver after finishing 6.6 seconds back, while Norway took third.
– Geiger said: “It is incredible, one of the best days ever, it is historic. I thought it would be a bit easier but Fabio (Obermeyr) did a great job, especially in the first loop. It was really hard to keep up with his pace but I know I am very fast at the end so I was confident I would get the gold. My focus was on the last lap, not the first, and I think it worked out.”
