Industry News
U.S. ski racer Jared Goldberg was the surprise of the day, leaving everyone in awe after putting down a smashing run today, Friday, December 20, at Val Gardena/Gröden, Italy, finishing a mere 0.01 seconds behind the leader Mattia Casse. Rounding out the podium at today’s Super-G was Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt. It marks Goldberg’s first career podium. His previous career-best had been fourth place in Downhill, and his best Super-G result until today was 10th place in the same course last year.
- Related: Bryce Bennett Claims Third-Ever Career Podium at FIS World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden, Italy
Maybe it was an omen that it would be a good day for Team USA that Ryan Cochran-Siegle had bib 1 for the Super-G today. However, to be fair, the U.S. men have always done well on the race course at Val Gardena/Gröden, and several personal bests were achieved by Team USA members. Cochran-Siegle set the pace for the course with 1:29.61 minutes. It was ultimately 20th place for Cochran-Siegle. He held the victor’s seat for two subsequent skiers before Canada’s Cameron Alexander, in bib 4, unseated the U.S. skier. After Switzerland’s Stefan Rogentin tied with Alexander for the leadership position, it briefly looked like a double victory, but then Mattia Casse in bib 10 snatched the lead by 0.57 seconds from the duo. At 1:28.23 minutes, it was a time that proved impossible to beat by anyone, including Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, who crossed the finish line 0.43 seconds behind the Italian.
The podium seemed set for the longest time, but then came Jared Goldberg in bib 26. He was strong out of the gates and was ahead of Casse for the top two-thirds of the course but gave back some of the speed, crossing the finish line a mere 0.01 seconds behind Casse. The Boston native let out a loud roar in the finish area when he saw his time. It had been a smashing run, and the crowd was cheering with the 33-year-old skier, who claimed his first career podium.
Teammate Erik Arvidsson finished in 31st, Sam Morse in 32nd, Wiley Maple in 43rd, River Radamus in 47th, and Bryce Bennett in 50th. Kyle Negomir, unfortunately, recorded a DNF.
Canada’s Cameron Alexander ultimately finished in equal fifth while his teammate James Crawford came 13th, Brodie Seger 26th, and Kyle Alexander 47th. Jeffrey Read, unfortunately, recorded a DNF.
In a post-race interview with Swiss TV SRF, Goldberg said, “I am fired up. I skied how I wanted to.” The nine-year World Cup veteran admitted that everything felt good today and that he could ski fast. He was a bit worried about a hole near gate 18 and that it was snowing by the time he started, but he managed to push hard and tuck on large sections of the course, awarding him a close second place today.
The World Cup races at Val Gardena/Gröden continue tomorrow with a Downhill race.
