Henrik Kristoffersen wins Bansko giant slalom

The Bulgarian resort of Bansko hosted his last race of the 2019 edition today, with the 6th giant slalom of the season on the Alberto Tomba track. No big surprise came out of the first run, as the current three best giant slalom skiers Hirscher-Kristoffersen-Pinturault were occupying the Top 3 spots. But the outcome after the second run was slightly different, with Kristoffersen moving up to the win, Hirscher taking second and Thomas Fanara claiming third.

Henrik Kristoffersen started his career as a super talent in slalom, but over the years he improved his giant slalom skills a lot and he now has 17 World Cup podiums in that discipline. He won a World Cup race in Méribel in 2015, but never made it back to the very top until today in Bansko. This win followed up with the World Champion title he won in that discipline one week ago in Åre.

The discipline globe is out of reach though. With his second place in today’s race, Marcel Hirscher earned the giant slalom globe for the 6th time in his career. He now has a total of 19 World Cup globes in his collection, as he also secured the slalom globe earlier this season. And is likely to claim the Overall as well, equaling the record of 20 globes set by Lindsey Vonn.

Frenchman Thomas Fanara is impressive this season. The almost 38 year old giant slalom specialist is enjoying his last season on the World Cup Tour and could celebrate not less than three podiums so far, in Alta Badia, Adelboden and now in Bansko. That brings him to 14 World Cup podiums in career, including one win at the World Cup finals in St. Moritz in 2016.

It’s now turn for the speed skiers to resume their World Cup season, with the traditional race week-end in Kvitfjell, where two downhills and a super-g will be held on 1st-3rd March.

Results are available here: Bansko GS

Quotes from the Top 3 are available here: Soundcloud