On Saturday, the 58th Saslong Classic will reach its climax in Val Gardena/Gröden with the classic downhill race. Marco Odermatt is once again the big favorite going into the race – even though Friday's super-G impressively showed that surprises are always possible on the Saslong.
Odermatt, who was virtually unbeatable in the first two races in Val Gardena/Gröden, finishing first (sprint downhill) and second (super-G), will be the first skier in the top group to leave the start house on Saturday. The leader of the discipline standings has the bib number 6. He is followed closely by his compatriot Franjo von Allmen, who finished second in the last two Saslong downhill races.
Local favorite Dominik Paris will be chasing his second Val Gardena/Gröden triumph with start number 12. The veteran from Ultimo/Ulten impressively proved in Thursday's sprint downhill that he can keep up with the fastest on the Saslong – and the 36-year-old powerhouse can be expected to deliver again in the classic downhill on the original course.
From an Italian perspective, after the strong results in the sprint downhill, it will be exciting to watch not only Paris but also his teammates: Mattia Casse has bib number 4, Florian Schieder from Castelrotto/Kastelruth has 16, super-G third-place finisher Giovanni Franzoni has 22, and the resurgent Christof Innerhofer from Gais has 27.
Looking at the rest of the starting list, it is also worth keeping an eye on Saslong specialist Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who will start with bib number 18. Super-G sensation winner Jan Zabystran follows with bib number 36.
Co-favorite Murisier will only start after the first 45 racers
Since Switzerland's Justin Murisier – who is actually one of the ten fastest downhill racers in the world – missed the start number draw, he will not start with his assigned number 15, but will only take to the course after the first 45 racers. As the weather forecast for Saturday is good, Murisier is likely to compete in sunny conditions.
The starting signal for the classic downhill race will be given at 11:45 am. A total of 65 athletes from 18 nations will compete in the last of the three speed races on the Saslong.