Giant Slalom Showdown: Odermatt Takes Command in Val d’Isère

Last season, Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt dominated the sport of men’s giant slalom. After the first run on Val d’Isère’s Stade Olympique de Bellevarde race venue, he still appears to be the best. He will take a (+0.65) advantage over Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen into the afternoon finale. The only other man within a second of Odermatt’s time is his teammate Loic Meillard (+0.75). Marco Schwarz, who led in Sölden at the cancelation, was fourth fastest (+1.23) slower than Odermatt.

Odermatt used his classic efficiency and precise yet demanding line to dominate the morning run. He is pursuing his third career Val d’Isère GS victory. Another fantastic performance that must be recognized is the work of the FIS and the local course crew. They have been fighting Mother Nature, yet with endless effort, they produced an excellent race surface to ensure the men will finally have a complete 2023-24 giant slalom.

The best North American after the morning’s entertainment is Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s River Radamus. Starting with bib 16, he finished a solid 10th (+2.26) behind the leader. Canada’s Erik Read is also among the men who skied well enough to qualify for the afternoon. Read ranked 16th in the morning (+3.63).

Unfortunately for the later starters, the lights went out when the shade came over the course. The flat light increased the challenge and the time window to qualify for the second run. As Austria’s Manuel Feller said before the race you will never come to the finish in Val d’Isère feeling good.

After the first thirty had skied, the time spread of the field was (+5.95), and only 25 had finished. By the end of the run, the time differential to 30th Switzerland’s Sandro Zurbruegg was (+5.15).

Seven athletes with bibs above 30 could qualify for the second run. The best way Switzerland’s Fadri Feurstein bib 52, 21st (+4.45), the last to qualify was Bib 64 Anton Grammel, bib 64 (+4.73). There were 22 athletes who could not finish the course. Eleven nations had athletes qualify for the afternoon finale.

Unfortunately, Stifel US Ski Team members Tommy Ford, Isaiah Nelson, Brian McLaughlin and independent Patrick Kenney could not finish their runs, and George Steffey could not qualify for the finale. For Alpine Canada, Jordan Asher and Riley Seger did not complete the course and Liam Wallace did not start.

Fastest 30 from the first run and analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans

Analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans