Meillard takes giant slalom win in foggy Schladming
Jan 25, 2023·Alpine Skiing
The men’s Audi FIS World Cup tour continued in Schladming, Austria with a thrilling giant slalom race under the lights in foggy conditions.
It was Loic Meillard (SUI) who shone brightest, outpacing the field by 0.59 seconds to capture the victory. Meillard had the fastest first run of the field and carried the momentum to top the podium.
“It was pretty good. It was difficult to get in a rhythm with yesterday and the late finish. I felt good, I like the snow and I like that slope. So, it was cool,” said Meillard.
It is the second career World Cup victory for Meillard and the first in giant slalom. It is the 14th World Cup podium of his career.
Despite the absence of superstar Marco Odermatt (SUI), the success for the Swiss team did not stop with Meillard.
Coming down the hill as the penultimate skier of the night, Gino Caviezel (SUI) battled through nerves to take the lead before being overtaken by his Swiss teammate.
“It is awesome. It was a really nice race. I love the night events. Sure, I wanted to win but being on the podium with Loic is great, we are good friends. My speed is back and I feel good on the GS skis,” said Caviezel.
Caviezel took second, it is only the third career World Cup podium for the 30-year-old.
Marco Schwarz (AUT) had the 14th fastest first run but bounced back in a huge way in his second run down the hill. The Austrian led the field for most of the night before finally finishing third.
“It is amazing. It my first ever GS podium in World Cup so I am happy. My second run was great. My first run I was very angry at the start. With the second, I told myself, full gas, and it worked out well,” said Schwarz.
Schwarz almost brought home the glory in front of the home crowd as the highest-finishing Austrian.
21-year-old Aleksander Steen Olsen (NOR) continued his successful season with a strong fourth-place finish.
Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) was chasing his first giant slalom win but suffered one big slip near the final gate to end up fifth.
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) put together solid runs and nailed the final gates in his second run to finish eighth to gain crucial points in the race for the overall title.
The red bib leader in slalom Lucas Braathen (NOR) came out with a poor first run and could not make up the time on his second run to finish a disappointing tenth.
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