As of: January 19, 2024, 3:29 p.m
By: Paul Hopp
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Someone is happy: Simon Jocher immediately after crossing the finish line on yesterday's descent in Kitzbühel.
© Marco Trovati / AP
Simon Jocher had a very strong performance at the “Streif” in Kitzbühel.
At the finish, the Schongauer was visibly pleased with his result.
Kitzbühel
– Poor visibility?
Fog?
Snowfall?
Simon Jocher didn't care about any of that when he appeared on the “Streif”.
At the World Cup downhill on Friday in Kitzbühel, the Schongauer showed “a dream ride in the upper part,” as ORF expert Hans Knauß said.
Simon Jocher impresses on the “Streif” descent
At the first intermediate time he was 22 hundredths of a second ahead of Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin, who was leading at the time (he also won in the end).
After that, Jocher didn't lose too much time.
In the lower part the chances of an absolute top result dwindled.
And yet: With a time of 1:57.11 seconds, the ski racer from SC Garmisch ultimately took an impressive 15th place (1.36 seconds back).
Only one driver from the DSV team was faster: Dominik Schwaiger (13th) distanced Jocher by just a hundredth of a second.
(By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Weilheim-Penzberg newsletter.)
At the finish,
Simon Jocher
was visibly satisfied and raised both arms in the air with a pleased expression on his face.
After recent rather mixed results with a 20th place in the Super-G in Val Gardena as his top result this winter, the 27-year-old showed that he can definitely keep up with the best.
15th place is his third-best result so far in a World Cup downhill.
He was better in Kvitfjell (2022/7th place) and in Val Gardena (2021/8th place).
The 27-year-old was “super happy” after the surprise and spoke to the dpa about “relief that you can once again gain a foothold up there.”
Now it’s important to “take the drive with you,” says Jocher.
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It was a bit of a shame that many people missed out on the good journey.
When Jocher catapulted himself out of the starting gate, ARD had already switched to biathlon.
And the ORF showed an interview conducted in the finish area with Sarrazin and the ex-Kitzbühel winner Luc Alphand.
At least Jocher's cheering pose in the finish area was broadcast by the cameras.
The other podium places behind Sarrazin (1:55.75) were taken by the Italian Florian Schieder (+0.05) and the Swiss top star Marco Odermatt (+0.34).
The classic Hahnenkamm downhill run takes place on Saturday, January 20th.
Starts at 11:30 a.m.