Fredrik Møller from Norway made history on December 17, 2023, by clinching his first World Cup Super-G victory at the challenging slopes of Bormio, Italy. At just 24 years old, Møller impressed the ski community by finishing with a stunning time of 1:29.22, securing his place at the top of the podium and marking Norway's first victory in speed disciplines since Aleksander Aamodt Kilde’s downhill win back in March 2023.
Møller's performance, starting from bib number four, was remarkable. He swiftly established the lead, clocking over six tenths of a second faster than the next contender, extending the gap as he charged down the icy course. Marius Arnesen, a Viaplay expert, encapsulated the excitement well, exclaiming, "Wow! It is completely insane!" as Møller crossed the finish line.
Despite facing tough competition from skiing giants like Marco Odermatt and Vincent Kriechmayr, neither could match Møller’s impressive time. Kriechmayr finished just 20 hundredths of a second behind him. According to Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, former world champion and Møller's teammate, Møller's achievement was stunning: "For being honest, it has been somewhat in the air, but I had not thought it would come in Bormio the first time he drives there. It is completely wild."
Møller himself shared the joy of his win during the press conference. He admitted, "I had first not thought I would drive to green light. I made a mistake early and did not think it would hold. But when it did, it was incredibly nice." His victory at Bormio adds to his earlier fourth-place finishes at Beaver Creek and Val Gardena, showcasing the upward trend of his racing skills this season.
While the excitement of the race filled the air, the day was marred by the unfortunate incident involving Swiss skier Gino Caviezel. Caviezel crashed dramatically just 45 seconds after starting his run, resulting in him sliding down the entire San Pietro jump. Emergency responders quickly attended to him, and he was transported by helicopter to the hospital, highlighting the risks involved in extreme alpine skiing. Sports commentator Henrik Jonassen remarked, "I think he took himself to the leg and knee there. This is painful to see for Caviezel."
Following Caviezel's accident, the race was paused temporarily but resumed after 15 to 20 minutes. This incident followed another scary tumble earlier this week when French skier Cyprien Sarrazin was injured during training, suffering from a skull bleeding which required surgery. His teammate, Nils Allègre, criticized the slope's preparation, voicing concerns over the safety of the course. "This slope is poorly prepared. There is no respect for the runners; speed needs to be reduced. I do not even want to think about the Winter Olympics being held here," he said, hinting at the upcoming events planned for the same venue.
Despite occasional hazards, the Bormio slopes are known for their thrilling challenges, noted by Møller’s nail-biting descent. Aamodt Kilde regarded the unique difficulties of the Bormio course, noting the high speeds and the technicalities involved. "Bormio is itself is tough to navigate because of the high speed, very much impact, and overall very challenging to just maintain speed," he mentioned, setting Møller's triumph within the demanding environment of competitive skiing.
Now, with the Winter Olympics just around the corner set to be hosted at these very slopes, Møller's celebrated win raises expectations for his performance at the event. Reflecting on his performance, Aamodt Kilde stated, "I believe we should still recognize him as somewhat of a rookie, which means expectations should remain somewhat tempered. Yet he has shown he can compete at the highest level. His steady approach without taking excessive risks signals potential for a fantastic career."