Meillard leads night GS in absence of Odermatt

SCHLADMING,AUSTRIA,25.JAN.23 – Loic Meillard. Photo: GEPA pictures

SCHLADMING, Austria — Swiss skier Loïc Meillard led his teammate Gino Caviezel as they went 1-2 in the opening run of a floodlit World Cup giant slalom Wednesday.

After seeing one racer, it was apparent that a Schladming night giant slalom is a good idea. The surface is icy but had plenty of grip, similar to the prior night. While there is no doubt the temporary lights above the slalom slope are not as bright as the slalom arena but they are adequate. Additionally, It appears Schladming is more challenging as a GS venue than slalom. During the first run, the hill and course created significant time separation. This event is compelling TV.

Two Swiss athletes are leading after the first run. However, neither of them is Marco Odermatt. Odermatt strained his knee in the first Kitzbühel downhill and was a game-time decision for Schladming. Odermatt has won four of the five giant slaloms so far this season

The defending overall champion first went back on snow for a training session on Wednesday. He did appear on the official start list released by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation but ultimately decided not to race.

“First day back on snow, I made a huge step forward! My knee is feeling better and the confidence is coming back. But I won’t race tonight,” Odermatt wrote on Instagram. “It’s a decision made by my head and not by my heart but I would risk too much for the upcoming days and my future.”

Loic Meillard took up the Swiss torch and leads by (-0.64) over teammate Gino Caviezel. Caviezel has a (-0.42) lead over third-place Henrik Kristofferson. Kristoffersen is another (-0.46) faster than fourth-place Austrian Manuel Feller. Notably, there is a considerable (1.92) time differential among the top ten.

Meillard used superior tactics to earn his advantage. He is more than a second faster than third place. There is plenty of grip in the ice, but the extra pressure it takes to arc below the gate robs speed. He used early pressure and accelerated more than any other racer in the first run.

Notably, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde participated in this special event. As is to be expected, Kilde used his special seeding and took advantage of his skill and strength. Skiing with bib 16, he finished the run eighth, outperforming his teammates Atle Lie McGrath and Lucas Braathen.

The best North American after the initial run is Stifel US Alpine Team member River Radamus. Radamus skied very well before making a small mistake near the finish. He is ranked 12th (+2.11). USA athletes joining Radamus in the final run are Tommy Ford in 20th and Brian Mclaughlin in 28th. Both skied strongly to qualify for the final. McLaughlin will have an advantage starting third in the final run. No Canadian athletes qualified for the final.

Again proof of the expert course preparations executed by the FIS and the local course workers is that seven athletes with start numbers above 30 qualified for the second run. The best was bib 34, Alexander Steen Olsen, who finished in 17th. However, the highest start number to qualify is Italian, bib 58 Hannes Zingerle, 26th after the first run.

Analysis of the fastest three, Radamus, Ford, McLaughlin, and first-run top 30 results

First run top 30 results January 25th Schladming night GS

The Associated Press contributed to this report.