Featured image: Daniel Yule and Manuel Feller show sportsmanship in the finish corral. Credit: GEPA

Who is skiing, when and how to watch the Sunday, February 11th Bansko slalom

Following an exhilarating day of men’s GS in Bansko, Bulgaria, Marco Odermatt emerged as the triumphant champion, securing his sixth GS victory of the season and his 20th overall triumph in this discipline. As the competition progresses, the focus will shift towards the slalom event. 

It will be the 9th slalom race of the season, and the athletes will only have three more slalom races left before the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in Saalbach Hinterglemm. The racers cannot leave anything on the hill and need to give it their all to find the top.  

Manuel Feller is on top of the World Cup Standings in slalom with a strong showing this season. The Austrian won three World Cups in Wengen, Adelboden, and Gurgl. However, in the last three races, he has not been able to step onto the podium, although still earning three impressive top-5 finishes, barely off the top 3 times. 

Today, the Austrian stepped onto the podium in GS, achieving a 3rd-place result. Today’s achievement will bring him the momentum to strive for another podium finish in slalom that will assist in securing his lead into the final races. Feller stated, “Two solid runs for me, it was enough for a podium and I’m really happy about that.”

German racer, Linus Strasser achieved two victories in slalom this season, which has moved him up to second in the World Cup Standings. The German showed tremendous success in Kitzbühel and Schladming this winter, which marked his 3rd and 4th victories of his career. He will battle in these last few races to move Feller out of the leading position. 

During the last race in Chamonix, The Swiss dominated the top of the podium, and Yule made history. Daniel Yule and Loic Meillard attacked the course to claim 1st and 2nd place. This first place finish by Yule made history as he became the first-ever skier to move up from 30th to first place in the second run of a men’s World Cup slalom.

It was Yule’s second podium of the 2024 season and Meillard’s 1st in slalom. Meillard has been competing in slalom, giant slalom and super-G this winter and has been successful in all three disciplines. The two Swiss athletes plan to gun for the top again on the Bansko race hill. 

Top-Ranked 2023-24 Men’s Slalom Skiers

Men’s Slalom Nations Cup Battle

In the Nations Cup slalom competition, Austria leads with 1,232 points, followed by Switzerland with 894 and Norway with 798. The US ranks 12th with 34 points, while Canada sits 15th with 17 points.

North Americans

The top North American competing in the Bansko World Cup slalom is Stifel US Ski Team racer Benjamin Ritchie. Ritchie is 36th in the slalom World Cup Standings. He has finished two out of the seven slalom races this season, achieving 20th place and 23rd. 

Teammate River Radamus put together a successful day of GS on the first day in Bansko. He achieved 12th place in the GS, which assures him that he can attack the slalom tomorrow with full confidence. It will be an “attack from the back,” as Radamus starts last on the start list tomorrow. 

In Adelboden this season, Radamus earned a 19th-place result and will strive to achieve another top-20 finish tomorrow. 

Alpine Canada Alpin Erik Read is the second top North American in slalom World Cup Standings, ranked 40th. He has achieved a 20th and 25th-place finish this season and hopes to accomplish two runs tomorrow that move him up. 

Canadian teammates Asher Jordan and Justin Alkier are gunning to score their first slalom World Cup Points. 

Stifel US Ski Team athlete Jett Seymour earned World Cup points for the third time in the slalom in Chamonix, achieving 28th place. Tomorrow, his goal is a top-30 result so he can continue to move up in slalom. 

Teammates Luke Winter and Isaiah Nelson aim to secure their first World Cup points in slalom.

US and Canadian Men Who Have Scored World Cup Slalom Points This Season.

North Americans Entered in the Sunday, February 11th Bansko Slalom

• Bib 38, Jett Seymour, Stifel USST, SSWSC, University of Denver, Fischer, One/Way
• Bib 40, Luke Winters, Stifel USST, Sugar Bowl Ski Academy, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK
• Bib 44, Benjamin Ritchie, Stifel USST, Green Mountain Valley School, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK
• Bib 46, Erik Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic, UVEX, Level GlovesAtomic, UVEX
• Bib 51, Asher Jordan, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic, Level Gloves
• Bib 58, Justin Alkier, ACA, National Ski Academy, Middlebury College, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 62, Isaiah Nelson, Stifel USST, Buck Hill Ski Team, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 70, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves

Athletes from 18 nations are entered in the February 11th Bansko slalom.

About Bansko, Bulgaria

Bansko, located in Southwestern Bulgaria, has a rich history dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries. However, Bansko flourished into a thriving settlement, known for crafts and trade, by the middle of the 18th century.

Today, Bansko has transformed into a hub for both winter and summer tourism, attracting visitors from around the globe. Once a humble farm and merchant community, the town now stands as an international destination, drawing in tourists with its scenic beauty and affordable lifestyle.

Bulgaria is on the cusp of making history as it hosts alpine skiing and snowboarding World Cup events in the upcoming 2023/2024 season. Renowned for being awarded Bulgaria’s Best Ski Resort, Bansko will take center stage on February 10 and 11, 2024, welcoming elite athletes for world-class competitions in giant slalom and slalom. This prestigious opportunity showcases Bulgaria’s role in winter sports and underscores its growing reputation as a top-tier destination for international competitions.

As anticipation builds for the Men’s World Cup Giant Slalom in Bansko, Bulgaria, on Saturday, February 10th, athletes prepare for an electrifying showcase of athleticism on the world stage. The next GS event will take place at Palisades Tahoe on February 24th, and the upcoming World Cup will feature a slalom in Bansko on Sunday, February 11th.

With Marco Odermatt’s commanding presence and the fierce competition from top contenders like Zubčić and Kranjec, fans can expect nothing short of exhilarating performances. While Odermatt leads the charge toward another season title, competitors are gearing up to seize their chance for glory in the remaining races. With its rich history and breathtaking landscapes, Bansko provides the perfect backdrop for this thrilling event, solidifying its status as a premier destination for winter sports enthusiasts worldwide.

When and How to Watch the Sunday, February 11th World Cup Slalom

The broadcast is scheduled to air the first run at 12:30 am PST, 1:30 am MST, 3:30 am EST. The broadcast is scheduled to air the second run at 3:30 am PST, 4:30 am MST, 6:30 am EST.

First Run Start List and Program for the Sunday February 11th Bansko Slalom

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Program for the February 11th Bansko Slalom