– This is really crazy. And it’s even wilder considering how it was yesterday. Mental strain. Not just for me, but for the whole team, Kilde told NTB.

The 30-year-old was not in top form for Saturday’s downhill classic. On Thursday, he broke a finger in practice, before he nearly hit a net wall on Friday’s descent. He then finished 16th.

In addition, his teammate Henrik Røa also fell at the finish line and broke his leg.

– I was really there so I felt like I had to do something special to win. But the special thing is really following the plan, trusting the people around me and trusting the equipment. And it worked in the end, says Kilde.

First Norway

There have been 17 Norwegian wins across various disciplines in Hahnenkamm races, but a Norwegian downhill rider has never won a Saturday classic in full from the top.

This is a statistic that Kilde wants to end.

– He destroyed the competition. He is the ocean ahead. This has to last, comments Espen Ween on NRK.

Runner Lommedalen took a clear lead from start number 14. The Norwegian is 6700 behind Frenchman Johan Clarey.

– It’s never happened before in Norway. First of all, it’s amazing to win. I’m not really into statistics, but this one means a lot to me, said Kilde.

– Just take off your hat or helmet. Technically perfect, but also fraught with risks. He’s simply the best in the world. On all sides. He’s a badass, Aksel Lund Svindal told NRK.

Broken arm

However, the 30-year-old has had an adventurous season so far. This winter he won four of seven downhill races and two of four in the super-G. Last weekend he was the best in both disciplines in Wengen, Switzerland.

Adrian Smiseth Sejersted didn’t quite make it from the number one start and ended up in 13th position.

– Everything broke at the last interval there. I’m down too far. But that’s the way it is, I’m not good enough to say it today. Aleks is in a class of his own today, Sejersted told NTB.

Successful operation

On Friday, Henrik Røa fell at the finish line and broke his leg. The Heming boy was flown to the hospital by helicopter and underwent successful surgery on Friday night.

– Last night it was difficult to find motivation but we have a fantastic team around us, said Kilde.

As such, he should stand above Saturday’s Kitzbühel scion and Markus Nordgård Fossland should take his place.

Stjørdal boy starts from number 47.