By USSA

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. — Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, N.Y.) reminded ski racing fans that he is still a threat in downhill, tying for fifth place after starting 34 at the Birds of Prey downhill. Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley) and Steven Nyman (Sundance, Utah) both grabbed top-15 spots, taking 12 and 15, respectively.

The Norwegians, better known as the Attacking Vikings, were unstoppable during Friday’s downhill with Aksel Lund Svindal taking his third win in as many speed events. His teammate Kjetil Jansrud was just behind him in second with Guillermo Fayed of France in third.

“I think his wax technician crushed it,” said Ganong of Svindal’s run. “He was six- to eight-tenths ahead on the top flat which is unheard of. Steve Nyman is the best starter and glider in the world and he got beat by three-tenths on the top.”

Overshadowed by the top 30 having finished, the crowd seemed to forget about Weibrecht. He had been on course for 30 seconds before the camera at Beaver Creek panned back to his run on the jumbotron. When he came down in fifth, he pumped his chest, stoked about the result—his best World Cup downhill finish.

“That run felt good. I was definitely hanging it out. A couple of times, I didn’t know if I gave away too much or risked a little too much, but I guess it was right in there,” said Weibrecht after his run. “I skied the way I wanted to all the way down.”

Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley) also attacked from the back, skiing from bib 53 to take his first World Cup points by finishing 29.

“I haven’t scored World Cup points yet and that has been something I’ve wanted to do—almost too much,” said Bennett. “I had a few mistakes, but I just put everything into it. It was good to get a reward.”

Jared Goldberg (Holladay, Utah) was just out of the points, finishing 31st. Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley) did not finish.