The numbers keep coming with Odermatt remarkably having a worst finish of third in his past 16 GS races. The GS Globe was long since secured, as was the super-G Globe and the overall title, but how will he celebrate going past the great Maier?
“I would be ready to party, but I don’t know any more if I have the energy because I am really, really empty. The important thing was the race so I will see how much energy I have for the party,” laughed Odermatt.
Kristoffersen showed off his giant slalom skills once again. The second-place finisher in the giant slalom season standings put down two solid runs.
“Of course, I would have liked a win in GS, it is a little bit of a shame with all the second places. It was five or something. I don’t know. Seven podiums in GS is still good but we need to take this last step. So when we are second, we need to be first. If we take this last step maybe we can challenge for the globe,” said Kristoffersen.
Kristoffersen compiled 11 podiums this season including the world championships. He will try to add one more in the final slalom race on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Schwarz put together a great second run and navigated the messier conditions on the bottom of the course to finish in third place.
“Third place today is really good. We were lucky with the visibility. I am pretty happy with the whole season. We worked hard and the big thing was my first victory in GS in Palisades so I am really happy with the season,” said Schwarz.
Rising star Lucas Braathen (NOR), who has his eye on tomorrow’s slalom and the chance of a first ever Crystal Globe, used a speedy first run to propel him to fourth place.
Alexis Pinturault (FRA) sat in second after the first run, but could not complete a clean second run, finishing eighth.
Little known Joan Verdu (AND) created one of the biggest cheers of the day, tholding the lead for a while in front of home fans after a brilliant second run. And the crowd even got the rare spectacle of Norwegian speed star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) competing in giant slalom. The overall downhill champion finished 17th.
Now all eyes turn to the slalom. Braathen leads the way but the four men below him all have a chance of over-taking the Norwegian. It is sure to be a forecracker end to the season. Do not miss it.
