RB teammates Noël Clement and Alex Vinatzer: GEPA photos
Drama Builds on the Ganslernhang
The second run of the Kitzbühel World Cup slalom delivered the joy followers anticipate from this iconic occasion. With the 12 high skiers from the primary run separated by lower than a second, the race was extensive open and anybody’s to win. The reversed begin order for the second run gave the early racers an opportunity to set the tone and climb the leaderboard, including to the unpredictability and drama on the legendary Ganslernhang slope.
Closing 5 Convey Drama to the Ganslernhang
A Tight Race on the Prime
The ultimate 5 racers, separated by simply 0.49 seconds after the primary run, promised an electrifying conclusion. As Italy’s Alex Vinatzer continued to steer, Sweden’s Kristoffer Jakobsen sat in second, and final yr’s Kitzbühel winner, Linus Strasser of Germany, held third.
Nef Struggles to Climb
The primary of the highest 5 to ski was Switzerland’s Tanguy Nef, a former Dartmouth School standout. Nef attacked the course with grit and willpower however couldn’t discover the rhythm to problem the leaders. As he crossed the road momentarily in fifth, leaving 4 racers nonetheless to problem for the rostrum.
Noël Takes the Lead with Precision
Subsequent up was France’s Clément Noël, a three-time slalom winner this season and reigning Olympic champion. Noël attacked the Ganslernhang with surgical techniques, linking crisp, dynamic turns with unmatched fluidity via the hardest sections. His skill to generate velocity on the flatter sections paid dividends, as he took a razor-thin 0.09-second lead over Vinatzer, placing him in prime place for one more victory.
Braathen Thrills however Falls Brief
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil, already a fan favourite, introduced his trademark aptitude and tenacity to his second run. Pinheiro Braathen danced via the steep and technical sections, carrying velocity into the transitions and holding followers on the sting of their seats. Nonetheless, a small hesitation within the center sector price him beneficial time, and he fell simply in need of the highest two. He completed briefly in third place, guaranteeing Noël a podium spot and Vinatzer a minimum of a third-place end.
“Truthfully, I used to be disenchanted at first,” Pinheiro Braathen stated. “Don’t get me mistaken—I’d be happy with a fifth or sixth place in Kitzbühel. However I’ve a 3rd and a second on this hill, and my dream is to stroll away with a Golden Gams in the future. It’s lacking on my shelf again house, and I needed it so badly.”
“To see how shut I used to be—simply 19-hundredths of a second—and to know precisely the place I misplaced that point, it’s powerful,” he added. “I simply want I might run up and do it as soon as extra. However I’ll maintain pushing as a result of this hill means a lot to me.”
Amiez Falters Below Stress
France’s Steven Amiez, Noël’s youthful teammate, confronted mounting strain as he approached the beginning. Regardless of an aggressive opening, he misplaced time within the center part after which crossed his suggestions, falling to his hip and sliding out of rivalry. His mistake confirmed Vinatzer’s podium place and left only one racer to compete.
Haugan’s Hopes Dashed
All eyes turned to first-run chief Timon Haugan of Norway. Haugan seemed robust out of the gate, however a slight miscalculation on a vital flip despatched him to his hip halfway via the course. Unable to get well, he skied out, dashing his hopes of victory and guaranteeing a historic podium end for Brazil’s Pinheiro Braathen alongside Noël and Vinatzer.
Noël Secures Fourth Win of the Season
With Haugan out, Clément Noël secured his fourth slalom victory of the season, thrilling followers together with his technical mastery and psychological toughness. Noël’s consistency via the steep and flat sections of the Ganslernhang solidified his place as one of many sport’s most interesting slalom racers.
“It’s a extremely glad day for me,” Noël stated. “Kitzbühel has been my favourite since a very long time in the past, however the final time I received right here was in 2019—six years in the past. I’ve struggled lots on this hill lately, so it’s actually loopy to win right here right this moment. In fact, my greatest aim this season continues to be the World Championships, however this win is so vital to me. I’m actually glad to be right here and to win on this iconic slope.”
“That is my fourth victory this season, and after the ankle harm, it’s nice to really feel like I’m again at 100%,” Noël added. “That is, with out query, my finest season ever with 4 wins up to now, and I simply hope to proceed like this and luxuriate in each second.”
Italy’s Alex Vinatzer, sporting bib 24, delivered one of the crucial inspiring performances of the day, incomes his career-best consequence with a second-place end. His mix of aggression and finesse marked his third World Cup podium, displaying he’s a pressure to be reckoned with.
“At this time was a extremely special occasion for me,” Vinatzer stated. “Kitzbühel is without doubt one of the most legendary races on the World Cup circuit, and to face on the rostrum here’s a dream come true. The second run was difficult with the situations, however I trusted my snowboarding and gave all the things I had. To earn my career-best consequence on this hill makes it much more unforgettable.”
To the delight of the huge crowd, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made historical past for Brazil together with his third podium of the season and second in slalom. His thrilling fashion and fearless strategy introduced power to the day, cementing his standing as a confirmed star within the sport.
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The spectators roared their approval, celebrating an unforgettable day of drama and triumph on the legendary Ganslernhang slope.
Desgrippes Takes the Lead Early
After the primary 10 racers of the second run, France’s Hugo Desgrippes, beginning with bib 57, led the standings with a robust mixed time. His teammate, Victor Muffat-Jeandet, adopted in second, 0.50 seconds behind, with Switzerland’s Marc Rochat holding third. Canadian veteran Erik Learn and Stifel U.S. Ski Workforce member Benjamin Ritchie have been tied for fourth, showcasing stable performances that saved them shifting up the leaderboard.
Huge Names Dominate with 15 to Ski
By the midway level of the second run, a few of the most achieved names in slalom snowboarding had taken management of the leaderboard. Sweden’s Kristoffer Jakobsen, with 4 World Cup podiums to his title, led the standings. Austria’s Johannes Strolz, the reigning Olympic silver medalist and a World Cup slalom winner, held second place, whereas Bulgaria’s Albert Popov, a slalom winner earlier this season, rounded out the highest three. Notably, Jakobsen moved up 12 positions through the afternoon run, delivering a stellar efficiency to complete simply off the rostrum in fourth.
This trio of podium-proven skiers showcased their expertise and talent on the difficult Ganslernhang slope, elevating the bar for the remaining 15 rivals and setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion.
Vinatzer Takes Cost with 10 Remaining
Because the second run reached its closing stretch with solely ten racers left to compete, Italy’s Alex Vinatzer, who was eleventh within the first run, held the lead. Sweden’s Kristoffer Jakobsen sat in second, whereas Austria’s Fabio Gstrein occupied third. The strain mounted because the remaining skiers ready to problem the leaderboard on the unforgiving Ganslernhang slope, the place each hundredth of a second might decide the rostrum.
A Traditional Kitzbühel Finale
After a neater first run, the enamel of the Ganslernhang slope returned within the second run, delivering the form of problem this iconic venue is understood for. The steep breakovers, unforgiving turns, and excessive stakes examined the world’s finest slalom skiers, creating an exhilarating and unpredictable finale. In the long run, Clément Noël claimed a hard-fought victory, Alex Vinatzer celebrated a career-best second-place end, and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen continued to make historical past for Brazil with a spot on the rostrum. As soon as once more, the Kitzbühel slalom proved why it stays one of the crucial electrifying occasions on the FIS Alpine World Cup circuit.
North American Standouts
The primary racer to complete the second run was Learn, who certified for his first slalom second run of the season. The Canadian veteran delivered a stable efficiency, making the most of his early begin quantity to supply a clear and managed run. Learn’s effort paid off as he climbed 9 positions within the afternoon to complete tied for twenty first. With this consequence, Learn has now scored World Cup slalom factors in a powerful 11 consecutive seasons, showcasing his consistency and longevity within the sport.
“I really feel just like the snowboarding has been shut all yr, and right this moment there was positively a bit little bit of luck on my aspect in comparison with another races,” Learn stated. “I do know it’s been tight, however placing collectively a stable run right this moment made the distinction. Within the second run, I confirmed some good snowboarding, and I’m hoping to construct on that shifting ahead. It’s all the time a battle out right here, however lastly punching in at Kitzbühel feels particular after some mentally powerful days. I’m pleased with this consequence and able to maintain pushing.”
Ritchie, the one different North American to qualify for the second run, continued his breakout season with one other decided efficiency. Though he skied nicely, Ritchie couldn’t fairly match the tempo of the leaders, crossing the road tied with Learn. He moved up three positions to complete tied for twenty first, marking his fourth consecutive race within the factors and sixth of the season.
“I wouldn’t say I’m sad with right this moment. The situations have been powerful, with rain and gentle salt, and I haven’t skilled on this a lot this yr, so I wasn’t 100% ready for it,” Ritchie stated. “However I’m glad to stroll away with some factors—it’s all a part of the journey to creating World Cup Finals in Solar Valley. Now I must determine some issues out for the subsequent race in Schladming. It’s going to be heat once more, however I just like the hill there. With just a few small changes, I believe we’ll be able to go within the gentle stuff.”
First Run Outcomes: Prime 30 Finishers
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Evaluation of the Quickest Three and North American Qualifiers
