From the starting number nine, the mountaineer from Lommedalen took the provisional lead – 25 hundredths ahead of the Frenchman Alexis Pinturault.

But on the starting number behind came James Crawford of Canada. The 25-year-old, who has only two positions in the top 10 of the discipline this season, edged Aamodt Kilde with a meager hundredth.

– The first feeling was really bitter, but that’s how sport is: Small margins, Aamodt Kilde tells TV 2.

– I have to concentrate on my first medal at the World Championship. I have to be content with that, he continues.

According to Aamodt Kilde, he lost the World Cup gold medal just before the finish line.

– One lap, and that was the last bend in the hangar. There he comes and takes me. It’s crazy, Kilde told Viaplay.

A little later, Kilde was relieved of the silver medal:

– It’s been a hard day. A lot of nerves and a lot of pressure before the start of the race. I really felt it today. I have won a few races in recent years, but the World Cup has never been so close. It finally worked out, he smiles.

– It’s the brutality of sport. Alpine skiing is a sport in a hundred parts. It’s just awkward and annoying that he doesn’t have the hundredths on his side, says TV 2 alpine expert Nina Haver-Løseth.

But Norway had several hopes at the start: Adrian Smiseth Sejersted rode very well at the top, but lost precious time at the end.

He ended up finishing seventh.

Here’s how his teammate Lucas Braathen reacted to the tragedy:

Atle Lie McGrath really got on his nose at starting number 22. Luckily the Norwegian got back on his feet and drove to the finish in his own machine.

The 22-year-old has opted for a more thorough check, sporting director Claus Ryste told TV 2.

– The physio and the doctor took him to an organizer program for a proper check-up, so that we are completely sure of things.