The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics - News Alert! (Men's Downhill)

February 9, 2014
Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill:
Austria's Matthias Mayer won the gold winner of the men's downhill on his Winter Olympic debut.
The story about Mayer is written by HOWARD FENDRICH,a sports writer from the Associated Press (AP)

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP)
Austria's Matthias Mayer grew up in Austria admiring plenty of Alpine skiers, from his medal-winning dad, to all-time great Hermann Maier, to a couple of guys he races against these days, Bode Miller and Aksel Lund Svindal.
Unexpectedly, Mayer now can call himself something none of those others can: Olympic downhill champion.



Austria's Matthias Mayer finishes the men's downhill at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Photo: AP



4 years after ski-loving Austria departed the Winter Games with zero men's Alpine medals for the 1st time only, Mayer made his nation 1-for-1 in 2014, upstaging pre-race favorites Miller and Svindal by charging down the course in 2 minutes, 6.23 seconds Sunday to win gold in the sport's premier event.There he was Sunday, getting congratulatory handshakes and pats on the back from racer after racer who was not as fast as Mayer on this day.

"I have a lot of idols. Maier, (4 time Olympic medalist) Stephan Eberharter," Mayer said. "Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal and the USA's Bode Miller, they're idols for me, too."

Somewhere back home in Austria, some children watched Mayer win and now will idolize him.

For the detailed story, please visit www.14news.com/story/24673800/matthias-mayer-wins-the-olympic-downhill

Italy's Christof Innerhofer celebrates after finishing the men's downhill at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. Photo: AP

USA's Bode Miller sits on his skis after finishing the men's downhill at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana.
Photo: AP

Source: Associated Press (AP), IOC

Medals and results list of Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill :
Gold: Matthias Mayer (AUT) - 2.06.23
Silver: Christof Innerhofer (ITA) - 2.06.29

Bronze: Kjetil Jansrud (NOR) - 2:06.33

The 4th:Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR) - 2.06.52
The 5th:Travis Ganong (USA) - 2.06.64