The Stelvio challenge has officially begun. Today, Thursday, December 26, the first timed run of the downhill opened the program of the2024 edition of the FIS World Cup in Bormio: on the famous Valtellina slope the athletes found sunshine-which is expected to accompany the entire weekend-and the usual pitfalls that make the Stelvio one of the most difficult slopes in the world.

The great work of the Bormio Foundation technical team, led by Omar Galli, has paid off. The strong wind that has swept the Stelvio slope in recent days has made it even more nervous, but the bottom of the Downhill Staircase is ready to provide great entertainment, with the Downhill scheduled for Saturday, December 28, and the Super-G on Sunday, December 29.

The first downhill run once again put a familiar face in front of everyone: it is that of Cyprien Sarrazin, who last year in Bormio took the brunt of his first career downhill success right on the Stelvio. It would not be his last: after glory on the Stelvio, the 30-year-old transalpine has solidified himself as Marco Odermatt’s main rival between the speed gates.

Although it was only the first test, on a bottom as always challenging, Sarrazin immediately found his sensations on the Stelvio. His margin over the runner-up – +1.07 – is one of head, confidence, as well as legs, on a day in which there were many who did not push 100%, looking for the right lines and the best feelings.

Also among them was Marco Odermatt: today’s 22nd place certainly does not reflect the chances and ambitions of the three-time World Cup winner, who is aiming to improve on last year’s second place in the downhill, which saw him triumph in Super-G instead.

Behind Sarrazin, however, there is good news for the home colors. In fact, second place belongs to Mattia Casse, who had the honor of opening the dances on the Stelvio with the number 1. “There’s nothing to say, the Stelvio is always the Stelvio,” began the Piedmontese, winner in Super-G in Val Gardena. “The bottom is less hard than in other years, but the slope is very moving, always intense and challenging from start to finish. ”

Third place at +1.17 for Switzerland’s Alexis Monney, fourth at +1.28 for America’s Ryan Cochran-Siegle, among the most in-form sprinters in recent outings, while in fifth place is Christof Innerhofer. The South Tyrolean, freshly 40, was among the fastest in the final part: ” I am satisfied with my first test. I tried some solutions, and the answers I found are what I hoped for .”

For Italy, Giovanni Franzoni, ninth, also did well, while home athletes Pietro Zazzi and Nicolò Molteni placed 28th and 30th. A morning to forget, however, for Dominik Paris: the seven-time Stelvio master paid for a line error with a fall without consequences, but there is still plenty of room for the 35-year-old from Val d’Ultimo to make up for it.

Meanwhile, tomorrow, Friday, there will be a repeat: from 11:30 a.m. there will be the second and final downhill run ahead of Saturday. From 5:00 p.m., however, it will be party time in Piazza Cavour, in the heart of Bormio, with a parade of ski club kids and, from 6:30 p.m., thepublic bib draw. The show has just begun.