In a dramatic night of intense competition, Swiss skier Loic Meillard emerged as the fastest in the rain-affected men's World Cup giant slalom held in Schladming, Austria. A determined Meillard completed the challenging first run in just 51.43 seconds, overcoming adverse weather conditions that saw relentless rain and low clouds impact the race. His impeccable performance positioned him ahead of competitors, including fellow Swiss and World Cup leader Marco Odermatt.
Marco Odermatt, who has dominated the giant slalom circuit by winning an impressive 15 of the past 18 events, finished the opening run of this wet and demanding event nine-tenths of a second behind his teammate Meillard. This marks a significant contest for Odermatt, who has historically managed to excel even when slightly off the pace, as seen in last year's Schladming competition where he eventually triumphed despite being almost a full second behind after the first run. However, the challenging conditions this time have put his tinkering pace to the test.
The race organizers had to make crucial adjustments due to persistent rain, which softened the race course, and visibility issues caused by low clouds. They lowered the start gate, shaving approximately 14 seconds off the total run time. Amid these challenges, Meillard maintained composure, displaying skill and precision, earning him the lead over promising talents like Norwegian skiers Alexander Steen Olsen and Henrik Kristoffersen, who followed closely with times just fractions of a second behind Meillard.
Meanwhile, Slovenian powerhouse Zan Kranjec also put forth a commendable effort to secure a place just behind the Norwegians, showing the depth and competitiveness of this year’s racing talent. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who recently changed his national allegiance from Norway to Brazil, now faces over a second gap to bridge in the subsequent run if he hopes to break into the top standings.
In a more unfortunate side of the skiing landscape, French skier Alexis Pinturault, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist, will sit out the remainder of the season. The French ski federation has confirmed that Pinturault suffered a significant injury, fracturing his internal tibial plateau in a fallback incident during a super-G event in Kitzbuehel the previous Friday. Recovery is expected to begin after six weeks of rehabilitation, marking a premature end to his current season’s ambitions.
This comprehensive showcase of talent and resilience, particularly with changing weather patterns affecting alpine sports, continues to highlight the diverse challenges athletes face on their path to glory. As the skiing world eyes the upcoming world championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, the night's results set the stage for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable series of races ahead.
