Beijing 2022: Men’s slalom preview

The men’s slalom World Cup has been nothing less than insane this season and completely unpredictable. With six different first-place finishes in as many races, and a total of fourteen different athletes who have stood on the podiums, out of eighteen places, it is impossible to predict who might win tomorrow’s slalom race. The only athletes that have placed more than once on the podium this season have been Lucas Braathen (NOR), Manuel Feller (AUT), Linus Strasser (GER) and Kristoffer Jakobsen (SWE).

Currently sitting at the top of the slalom World Cup standings is Norwegian, Lucas Braathen. Heading into his first Olympic slalom race, he has already claimed a victory and a 2nd place finish in this season’s World Cup. Braathen has yet to race in a slalom race on the Olympic stage but certainly has proven that he will be one to keep your eyes on in tomorrow’s race.

In the slalom World Cup standings, he is followed by fellow countryman and 2021 slalom World Champion, Sebastian Foss-Solevaag (NOR). Foss-Solevaag won the slalom race in Madonna di Campiglio, however since, hasn’t placed better than 6th. Foss-Solevaag placed 9th in the 2014 Olympic slalom and 10th in 2018.

Charging down the course tomorrow will be Austria’s, Manuel Feller. Feller is known for his fast and hard skiing which has seen him DNF (did not finish) twice this season. Nonetheless, the Austrian has placed twice on the podium with a 2nd and 3rd finish and is currently placed third in the slalom World Cup standings.

The most recent slalom World Cup winner will also be gunning for the title. Linus Strasser (GER) claimed his second slalom World Cup victory in Schladming (AUT) just before heading to Beijing for the Olympics.

In Kitzbühel (AUT) this year, slalom veteran Dave Ryding, claimed his first World Cup victory which was also Great Britain’s first alpine skiing World Cup win. The British skier will be competing in his fourth Olympic games where his best result was 9th in 2018.

Frenchman, Clement Noel, came runner up in the slalom World Cup standings last year, however, won the opening slalom race of the season in Val d’Isère (FRA). Since though, he has failed to finish better than 8th. At the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, Noel was 0.04 seconds from claiming a podium finish but ended up 4th behind Michael Matt (AUT).

The incredible comeback story of Johannes Strolz (AUT) has amazed the alpine community this season. Strolz was let go from the Austrian national team due to a lack of good results, however, he continued to persevere towards his Olympic dream. Preparing his equipment for World Cup races all on his own, the Austrian went on to win his first World Cup race which was the slalom race in Adelboden (SUI) and then claimed the gold medal in the alpine combined last week.

Other challengers for the title who have placed on a slalom World Cup podium this season include, 2010 slalom Olympic champion Giuliano Razzoli (ITA), 2021 Overall World Cup winner Alexis Pinturault (FRA), Atle Lie McGrath (NOR), Filip Zubcic (CRO), Daniel Yule (SUI), and Kristoffer Jakobsen (SWE). Not having yet finished on a podium this season, Alex Vinatzer (ITA) and two-time slalom Globe winner and 2014 slalom Olympic bronze medallist, Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) will also be pushing their limits to make up for mistakes made in the World Cup season.

The wait is nearly over before finding out who can push the limits in tomorrow’s race but still hold onto the edge to become the new slalom Olympic champion. The first run is scheduled to start at 10:15 local time / 03:15 CET with the second run scheduled to start at 13:45 local time / 06:45.