Brian McLaughlin Schladming Night GS GEPA pictures/ Mathias Mandl

Who is racing in Schladming, when, and how to watch the men’s night World Cup giant slalom on January 23rd.

Get ready for the thrill of the Tuesday, January 23rd Night Giant Slalom in Schladming, Austria — a historic event that rivals even the renowned Kitzbühel race. The Schladming night slalom attracted massive crowds in the past before the completion of the impressive finish stadium in 2013. With around 48,000 attendees annually, the village transforms into a giant party.

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Last year’s success led to the inclusion of a Night Giant Slalom in this season’s schedule, making it the only one on the World Cup calendar. The race takes place on the Planai Hill, where the atmosphere in the Planai Stadium turns into a lively spectacle as athletes navigate the floodlit piste.

In 2023, Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard won the GS, but this year, the dominant force is Marco Odermatt from Switzerland. Odermatt has triumphed in all four GS races this season, amassing 400 points. However, the competition is far from over with seven more races. Croatian Filip Zubčcić and Slovenian Žan Kranjec aim to challenge Odermatt, while Norwegian veteran Henrik Kristoffersen adjusts to new boots and could start winning.

Race surface

Well watered, it will get the attention of everyone on the slope if it is not well above freezing

Injuries

Unfortunately, the GS season has taken an unfortunate turn with the season-ending injuries of two skiing stalwarts — Marco Schwarz from Austria and Alexis Pinturault from France. Schwarz, a top-ranked GS skier, suffered an injury before the new year, halting his campaign for season titles. Meanwhile, Pinturault, a formidable force on the slopes, also faces a premature end to the season due to an injury in Wengen. Their absence leaves a void in the competition, and the skiing community wishes Schwarz and Pinturault a swift recovery for future season

Sixty-nine athletes representing 21 nations are scheduled to race the Schladming night ice skating, giant slalom.

Top ten 2024 men’s season World Cup giant slalom standings

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Notable North Americans

Radamus

In the North American spotlight, Stifel US Ski Team’s River Radamus emerges as a force to be reckoned with, currently holding the 10th position with 94 points. Radamus has consistently finished among the top 15 in three races.

Ford

Tommy Ford, the lone North American male GS skier with a podium in his career, faces challenges as he currently sits in 20th place with 43 points. Notably, he has scored in only two out of four GS races. Ford’s best performance was a commendable 9th place in Alta Badia, Italy, before Christmas. With plenty of races remaining, Ford aims to rebound and climb the ranks.

Read

Erik Read, positioned at 33rd with 17 points, has experienced a disappointing start to the GS season. Scoring in the first two races, Read faced setbacks in the last two — not finishing one and failing to qualify for the finale in the other. Like Ford, Read possesses the ability and determination to turn things around in the final seven GS races.

Crawford

James “Jack” Crawford, the best North American male skier, boasts 15 points and ranks 34th. Despite having the worst start number among the North Americans who’ve scored, Crawford showcased his potential by scoring in two out of three races he entered. Unfortunately, Crawford will not race in Schladming.

New North American names

Stifle US Ski Team’s Bridger Gile will ski his first World Cup since March of 2022. Bridger is not a rookie he has skied 15 World Cups over his career but has struggled with back pain over the last few seasons. Also, Canada’s Jeffrey Read, the elite super-G and downhill veteran, will start his first World Cup GS.

North American Men with 2024 Giant Slalom World Cup Points

The Tuesday, January 23rd Night Giant Slalom in Schladming promises to be an exhilarating spectacle, with Marco Odermatt leading the charge in a season full of unexpected turns. The absence of seasoned skiers Marco Schwarz and Alexis Pinturault opens doors for emerging North American talents like River Radamus, Tommy Ford, Erik Read, and James “Jack” Crawford to leave their mark on the global stage. As we anticipate the remaining races, we wish the injured stalwarts a swift recovery and look forward to witnessing the unfolding drama on the snowy slopes of the Planai.

North Americans on the start list for the Tuesday, January 23rd Schladming Night Giant Slalom

• Bib 13, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 20, Tommy Ford, Stifel USST, Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, HEAD
• Bib 24, Erik Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic, UVEX, Level GlovesAtomic, UVEX
• Bib 33, George Steffey, Stifel USST, Stratton Mountain School, Marker/Dalbello/Völkl, Level Gloves
• Bib 37, Isaiah Nelson, Stifel USST, Buck Hill Ski Team, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 39, Brian McLaughlin, Stifel USST invitee, Dartmouth College, GMVS, Marker/Dalbello/Völkl, TOKO, SYNC
• Bib 40, Asher Jordan, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic, Level Gloves
• Bib 49, Liam Wallace, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers, University of Alaska Anchorage, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 55, Bridger Gile, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, HEAD, Oakley, Level Gloves
• Bib 65, Jeffrey Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic, UVEX, Level Gloves

About Schladming

Nestled in the northwest section of the Austrian state of Styria, Schladming, a small former mining town with a population of 5,000, has transformed into a tourist hotspot. Renowned for its history and charm, the village has become a prominent winter sports resort, hosting prestigious events like the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 1982 and 2013

The shopping area adds to the allure, featuring numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops tailored to cater to the needs of tourists. Whether it’s the thrill of skiing competitions or the leisurely exploration of charming shops, Schladming blends its mining heritage with a contemporary tourist destination.

How to watch the Tuesday, January 23rd Schladming World Cup night giant slalom.

The men’s first GS run will begin at 11:45 am Eastern Time, 8:45 am Pacific Time and 5:45 pm Central European Time. The second run will start at 2:45 pm Eastern Time, 11:45 am Pacific Time and 8:45 pm Central European Time.

In Canada, sports enthusiasts can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports

In the USA, the men’s World Cups in Schladming will be available for viewing live and as a replay on the Peacock streaming service.

First run start list and program for Tuesday, January 23rd Schladming World Cup night giant slalom

Click on the start list and program to download

Program for Tuesday, January 23rd Schladming World Cup night giant slalom