Jett Seymour Stifel Aspen Winternational; GEPA pictures

After the first slalom run on Sunday, March 3rd, in Aspen, the race leader is French Olympic Champion Clement Noel. He holds a (+0.27) advantage over Swiss star Loic Meillard. However, Meillard is the sole racer within a second of Noel. Both men skied with great balance and precision. Nevertheless, it became apparent at the finish line that the altitude affected all the racers. Taking a moment to catch their breath became a common tactic after race runs.

Norwegian Henrik Kriostoffersen ranks as the third fastest. Despite skiing well throughout the entire course, he finds himself (+1.07) behind Noel. After the first 15 racers completed their first run, the time spread among the fastest ten increased to (+1.79), with three racers failing to finish.

Due to significant overnight snowfall, the race start was delayed one hour. Despite the expert course preparation by the FIS and the Aspen race crew, the surface remained variable, posing an additional challenge for the field. Seven were unable to finish after the first 30 racers had completed their morning run. However, the finish rate presented a significant opportunity for racers with higher bib numbers to qualify for the second run. After the first 45 had started, there were only 31 finishers.

North Americans

The first of the North Americans to race was Steamboat Springs’ Jett Seymour. He has scored in the last two slaloms and leads the Stifel US Ski Team’s slalom skiers. Today racing with bib 33 he crossed the first run finish in 18th but (+2.74) behind the leader. Seymour fought for every turn and qualified for his fourth final of the season. At the end of the first run, Seymour was ranked 21st and will be the 9th racer to start the afternoon finale.

The next Stifel US Ski Team member to race was Luke Winters. Winters has had a difficult season and had yet to qualify for a second run. However, today, he crossed the finish in 22nd and ended the morning 23rd and qualifies for his first second run of the season. Winters will start seventh in the afternoon.

For the first time this season, three Stifel US Ski Team members qualified for the second run. The last to do so was Benjamin Ritchie 29th (+3.51). Ritchie will be the second racer to attack the second run.

Three US racers in the finale will give the sparse Colorado Crowd much to cheer about.

Great performances from higher bib numbers

Eight skiers with bibs above 30 could qualify for the second run. The fastest was bib 37 Belgium Armand Marchant 9th (+1,55). The last to do so was bib 54 Austrian Kilian Pramstaller 24th (+3.03). Sunday saw only 39 racers finish the first run of slalom. The time differential between Noel and the thirtieth qualifier was considerable (+3.52).

As the race progresses to its second run, anticipation mounts with only a select few managing to conquer the challenging first run conditions. Stay tuned as the determined competitors gear up for an intense battle.

Stifel Aspen Winternational top 30 first run SL results and analysis of the fastest three and qualified Stifel US Ski Team members

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The analysis of the fastest three and qualified Stifel US Ski Team members