Marco Odermatt GEPA / Mathias Mandl

During the first run of the Adelboden giant slalom (GS), the massive Swiss Crowd had much to cheer loudly about. Their world number one, Marco Odermatt, skied with his usual excellence, and even though the course was short, he took a considerable (-1.04) lead into the afternoon run. Austrian Stefan Brennsteiner is second and (+.11) behind him is bib 16 Norwegian star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.

However, behind Odermatt, the field was tight. The time separation from the 2nd to the 13th position is (0.63). The competition for the podium positions will be exciting during the final run and will include many racers. There are 21 racers less than a second out of second place.

There was some exciting news when Frances Alexis Pinturault withdrew from the race. He and his wife were rushed to Bern when she went into labor with their first child. Some things are a lot more important than sports.

The veteran Tommy Ford was the fastest Stifel US Ski Team member during the first run. Ford finished 18th (+1.96), slower than Odermatt but only (0.92) behind second place Brennsteiner. Two places behind him is his teammate River Radamus, who tied for 20th and only (+0.97) out of second. Both men can end the day standing on the podium if they deliver their best during the second run.

None of the other eight North Americans could qualify for the afternoon finale.

Although there was plenty of snow, the course preparation was challenged by the weather and required a lowered start. However, the shorter course allows more energetic skiing from top to bottom. When the men’s GS field is provided a course faster than a minute, they know they can go very hard from top to bottom. The fog limited visibility, but the skiing was fantastic.

Five racers with bibs above 30 could qualify for the second run. The fastest was bib 32 Swiss racer Livio Simonet, 19th (+1.99). The last racer to qualify was bib 55 German Jona Stockinger, 28th (+2.46). Thirtyth place was bib 35 Norwegian Fredrik Moeller (+2.58). Notably, Stifel US Ski Team skier Brian McLaughlin missed qualifying by (+0.05)

The home country will have five Swiss racers to cheer for during the second run. Eleven nations had athletes qualify for the second run.

First run top 32 results and analysis of the fastest three and North Americans among the top 30.

Analysis of the fastest three and top 30 North Americans