SANTA CATERINA, Italy (Dec. 27, 2014) - Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA) took advantage of a new course for the men's Audi FIS Ski World Cup tour and punched through for his career first victory, winning the Santa Caterina downhill. Austria's Matthias Mayer was the only one who got close to Ganong, finishing in second, nine-hundredths back. Italy's Dominick Paris was third. Universal Sports Network will carry coverage at 10:00 a.m. EST.
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A traditional site for women's downhill including World Championships in 1985 and 2005, it was first time for the men on the Deborah Campognini downhill, which Ganong used to his advantage. "It was a perfect run!" said Ganong. "I love to take on a new challenge and a new slope. I love the hill—the mountains are huge here and it’s fun skiing."
The American flag flies as Travis Ganong stands proudly atop the Audi FIS Ski World Cup podium in Santa Caterina. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom)
Ganong took advantage of information from teammate Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT), who won last weekend's Val Gardena downhill and was on the podium in Beaver Creek. Nyman started out for the USA in the eighth starting position, executing his planned line but finding clearly where time could be gained. His radioed advice to Ganong that proved beneficial. Starting 16th, Ganong took charge of the race from the outset. He skied a very straight line to build a lead, then nailed a perfect sweeping turn through the final carousel to take the lead. It was his second career podium after finishing third in Kvitfjell, Norway last February.
Nyman ended up 15th as the Americans notched back-to-back downhill wins. Jared Goldberg (Holladay, UT) was 24th with Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) 29th. Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, CA) was 50th while Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) did not finish.
The men's downhill tour now gets a break until the Lauberhorn in Wengen, Switzerland Jan. 16-18. The tech team is in action with a slalom Jan. 6 in Zagreb, Croatia before heading to Adelboden, Switzerland.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Travis Ganong picked a new venue for the men's Audi FIS Ski World Cup tour for his first win.
- Previous best for Ganong was a third in Kvitfjell, Norway last February.
- The win boosted Ganong into third in the Audi FIS Ski World Cup downhill standings with Nyman fourth.
- It was the first time since 2008 that two separate American men won a World Cup downhill (Bode Miller, Marco Sullivan).
- Same day coverage on Universal Sports Network at 10:00 a.m. EST Sunday with a re-air at 3:00 a.m. Monday morning.
Travis Ganong races to his first career win in Santa Caterina. (Getty Images/AFP-Olivier Morin)
QUOTES
Travis Ganong
It was a perfect run! I love to take on a new challenge and a new slope. I love the hill—the mountains are huge here and it’s fun skiing.
I went really, really straight in a couple areas. It was really smooth and I was able to carry it all the way down. The last big carousel turn I did perfectly—I don’t think I could do that again if I tried.
Hopefully this will keep going all year. My New Year’s resolution is to do this more often!
Sasha Rearick Head Coach
Congratulations to Travis - he pushed hard and skied aggressive right out of the start, and kept that going all the way to the finish line. Aggressive mentality helped him cut line in a couple key spots and also hold his tuck more than others today.
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