Olympics Alpine men’s downhill: Norway wins gold, silver

Aksel Lund Svindal returned to the podium after a rough Sochi Winter Olympics. The Norwegian claimed gold over countryman Kjetil Jansrud at Jeongseon.

Four years ago in Sochi, Aksel Lund Svindal failed to reach a single podium in the men’s Alpine skiing events. It was a major disappointment for the reigning FIS World Cup champion in the downhill and Super-G. On the course in Krasnaya Polanya, Svindal was pipped for the bronze by his compatriot Kjetil Jansrud in the downhill.

It was a disappointing Olympics all around in 2014 for Svindal after taking a gold and two silver medals in Vancouver. Aside from coming fourth in the downhill, Svindal also finished only seventh in the Super-G as Jansrud claimed gold in the event.

This time around, Svindal claimed redemption. This time it was Svindal getting the better of his teammate on the downhill course, four days after they were originally slated to duel in the event. With the wind finally dying down at Jeongseon Alpine Centre, the speed event specialists got their chance to shine.

MEDAL RESULT | Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill

Aksel Lund Svindal

Kjetil Jansrud

Beat Feuz

Svindal made the most of the opportunity, blistering the course 0.12 seconds ahead of his teammate. The two secured the top two steps of the podium as Norway took gold and silver. It was especially momentous, as Svindal claimed the first-ever gold medal in the men’s downhill for Norway.

Coming in third was Beat Feuz. The Swiss skier came into the 2018 Winter Olympics leading the FIS World Cup standings in the downhill. Feuz is also the defending FIS World Champion in the event after taking gold at St. Moritz in 2017. On Thursday in South Korea, however, Feuz had to take a backseat to the exploits of the Norwegian pair.

It was a long wait for the downhill, as it was relegated to second event on the calendar by the weather. But once it finally commenced, the wait was well worth it as Svindal made history.

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