Featured Image: Marco Odermatt. Credit: GEPA
The athletes returned for their second run at the giant slalom on the Chuenisbärgli slope in Adelboden, Switzerland. Loïc Meillard wowed his home fans with an impressive first run, taking the lead by -0.27.
The second run was quicker, featuring a faster tempo that Marco Odermatt handled brilliantly to secure the victory.
The competition was intense between the Swiss competitors, Meillard and Odermatt, thrilling their enthusiastic home crowd and keeping them on the edge of their seats.
Odermatt stated, “Today was very tough, and it was a big fight against Loïc.”
“Loïc did an amazing race as well. Two [Swiss] on the podium like two years ago. It could not be better,” Odermatt stated.
This marks Odermatt’s 4th straight victory in Adelboden and the 42nd victory of his career. He celebrated by singing to the crowd.
Podium
Loïc Meillard redeemed himself from his DNF in the slalom with an outstanding performance on home snow. He executed two solid runs and pushed all the way through the finish. He concluded the day +0.20 behind Odermatt.
Rounding out the podium, Italian Luca De Aliprandini achieved his second World Cup podium of his career. He stepped on the gas in the second run to move up nine places to secure a 3rd-place result, +0.69 behind the lead.
Henrik Kristoffersen was in 2nd place coming into the second run and unfortunately went out in the middle of the course.
North Americans
Stifel US Ski Team athlete River Radamus unveiled determination from the start to the finish. His solid second run earned him 10th place. This marks his fifth time achieving World Cup giant slalom points this season and his 9th top-10 finish of his career.
He stated, “Today I am not completely satisfied but excited about my second run. First run I struggled to find the groove of the course; conditions were pretty good but still demanding, and I did not feel like I felt the connection to the trail.”
“As always the last pitch is challenging and it was a place to separate time wise I was proud of my second run and overall much better performance. I will take that into Wengen. Hoping to soon put down two good runs in a row,” He explained.
The Independent Global Racing athlete, Patrick Kenney, pushed out of the start with energy, attacking gate to gate. He got a little sideways but was able to remain on both feet.
Kenney finished the day in 23rd place, which marks his first result of 2025.
Tommy Ford of the Stifel US Ski Team, was sitting in 13th position coming into the second run. Regrettably, Ford leaned in at the top of the course and could not recover. He was unable to finish the race.
Other Highlights
Austrian Noel Zwischenbrugger was the first athlete to attack the track, setting an overall pace of 2:31.33. His lead did not last long, but he was able to move from bib 42 to 22nd place.
Lukas Feurstein of Austria was the highest bib number to qualify for the second run. With a solid second run, he finished in 21st place. This result is the athlete’s first GS World Cup points of the season.
Manuel Feller won the first run yesterday of the slalom on this hill. Unfortunately, he went out in the second run and was unable to score World Cup points. This made the defending slalom globe winner determined to execute both runs today, which placed him in 15th, earning critical points.
Swiss athlete Luca Aerni concluded the day in 7th place, which is the athlete’s sixth time achieving World Cup points in this discipline.
Top 30 Race Results
Top Three Analysis
North American Analysis
Check out more from the day: First Run Race Coverage
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
