Alexander Steen Olsen leads Norwegian 1-2 finish in rain-affected men’s giant slalom

Alexander Steen Olsen led a Norwegian 1-2 finish ahead of Henrik Kristoffersen in a rain-affected men’s World Cup night giant slalom in Schladming, Austria. The defending overall champion, Marco Odermatt, finished third in the competition.

Odermatt, who had won the last three giant slaloms and 15 of the last 18, struggled in tough conditions during the opening run. He finished 0.90 seconds behind in 12th place. However, he managed to post the fifth-fastest time in the second run, gaining nine spots to secure a spot on the podium. Odermatt expressed that he didn’t ski well in the race and attributed it to the challenges he faced after winning two races at the speed events in Wengen and Kitzbuehel.

Steen Olsen claimed his second win of the season after his triumph in the season opener in Soelden. In the race, he finished ahead of Kristoffersen by 0.39 seconds. Both Norwegian skiers celebrated their success, with Steen Olsen expressing his joy for finally achieving a win after a tough period in slalom events.

The race marked the last giant slalom before the upcoming world championships in Austria. Despite the significance of the event, Steen Olsen remained focused on the present moment and was extremely happy with his performance.

The competition saw Swiss skier Loic Meillard posting the fastest first-run time but dropping to fourth place in the end. Persistent rain and low clouds affected the course conditions, leading organizers to lower the start gate. This adjustment reduced run times by approximately 14 seconds.

Looking ahead, a night slalom is scheduled to take place on the same hill the following day. However, the French ski federation announced that Alexis Pinturault, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist in GS, would likely miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury sustained during a previous race.

In conclusion, the Norwegian dominance in the men’s World Cup night giant slalom showcased the talent and determination of the athletes. With the world championships on the horizon, the competition is heating up as skiers prepare to battle for glory on the slopes.