Henrik Kristoffersen: GEPA pictures
Top Five Holding Strong as First Fifteen Attack the Course
With fifteen racers down the Podkoren slope, the battle at the top remained intense. Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen held the lead with a commanding 1:10.73, proving that his early speed was no fluke. He remains the only skier to master both the opening and closing sectors, gaining crucial time where others faltered.
Odermatt Still in the Hunt
Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, sitting just 0.15 seconds back, continues to be the biggest threat. He skied a more balanced run overall, but minor hesitations in the middle sections kept him from overtaking Kristoffersen. Still, his clean technique in the final stretch suggests he has more to give in the second run.
Steen Olsen and Favrot Shake Up the Standings
Norway’s Alexander Steen Olsen held onto third at +0.81, showing flashes of brilliance with the fastest second sector of the race. His speed through that technical section was unmatched, but a slower start and a weaker finish cost him a shot at challenging the top two.
Thibaut Favrot of France has now entered the conversation, just 0.83 seconds back in fourth. His steady skiing in the early sections kept him competitive, but a slower final push left him just behind Steen Olsen. His ability to stay composed could be an advantage heading into the second run.
Meillard Rounds Out the Tight Top Five
Loïc Meillard remains in fifth at +0.84, only one-hundredth behind Favrot. His opening section was flawless, but he bled time at the bottom, where Kristoffersen made his decisive move. Still, with only 0.84 separating him from the leader, he remains in striking distance for the second run.
A Clear Divide—But the Fight Isn’t Over
At that point, these five were the only racers within a second of Kristoffersen, signaling that the real podium fight may be forming among them. However, with racers still to come, there was always the potential for shake-ups—and that’s exactly what happened.
Late Starters Break Into the Fight – Verdu and Braathen Impress
Just as it seemed the top five might be set, later starters took advantage of the conditions to disrupt the order. Andorra’s Joan Verdu, running bib 18, made full use of a course set by his coach, skiing an incredibly composed and technically sound run to move into third place, just 0.52 seconds behind Kristoffersen. His ability to maintain control through all sectors allowed him to edge out Steen Olsen and Favrot, proving that the fight for the podium is far from over.
Another standout performance came from Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. Starting with bib 16, the former World Cup winner skied with focus and aggression, charging into seventh place at +0.88. Though he lost some time in the closing sector, his clean skiing through the middle sections put him in a strong position to attack in the second run.
Haaser in the Mix but Just Outside the Top Contenders
Meanwhile, Austria’s newly crowned World Champion Raphael Haaser sits just outside the top seven in eighth place, 1.03 seconds back. Though not within the one-second mark like the others, he remains a strong contender for a second-run surge. With a clean, sharp attack, he still has an outside shot at pushing into the top three in the afternoon.
Tight Battle as Top Ten Line Up for Second-Run Podium Push
With 30 racers completing their first runs, the fight for the podium is anything but settled. The top ten are all within 1.06 seconds of Kristoffersen’s leading time, leaving plenty of room for movement in the final run.
Odermatt remains the biggest challenger at just 0.15 seconds back, while Verdu’s breakout performance keeps him well within striking distance at +0.52. Steen Olsen, Favrot, and Meillard sit within tenths of each other, setting up a fierce battle for podium contention.
Braathen, Haaser, and Austria’s Manuel Feller all sit within 1.04 seconds, each capable of launching a second-run charge. Slovenia’s Zan Kranjec rounds out the top ten at +1.06, still close enough to shake up the standings with an aggressive afternoon run.
With such tight margins and conditions expected to evolve, the second run promises a thrilling showdown.
Radamus Attacks but Struggles with Timing
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s River Radamus brought his trademark energy to the course, attacking from bib 14 with an aggressive approach. His intensity was evident, but struggles in his transitions between turns cost him crucial time. A few technical mistakes stacked up, and he crossed the line 2.10 seconds behind Kristoffersen, leaving him well outside the top contenders after the first run.
Despite the setback, Radamus has a key advantage heading into the second run—his start position. With an early slot in the afternoon, he will have a cleaner, less-rutted course, giving him a prime opportunity to claw back positions. If he can find more efficiency in his turns and limit errors, he has the potential to make a significant push up the leaderboard in the final run.
For now, he faces an uphill battle, but with his aggressive style and a fresh track, he’s not out of the fight just yet.
North Americans Push Through, Gile Qualifies for the First Time
It was a strong showing for North American skiers, with three advancing to the second run—including a career milestone for Bridger Gile. The American, who gained confidence at the World Championships in Saalbach, qualified for his first-ever World Cup second run in his 23rd start. He finished 26th, 2.77 seconds off the lead, marking a breakthrough moment in his career.
Right behind him, U.S. independent skier Patrick Kenney, who is training with Global Racing, delivered another impressive effort. With bib 45, he secured his third second-run qualification of the season, finishing 27th at +2.93.
Both skiers battled through a deep field and challenging conditions, proving their ability to step up on the World Cup stage. Their qualification adds to an already thrilling afternoon finale, as they look to capitalize on their second-run opportunities.
Late bibs qualify
Six skiers with bibs above 30 broke through to qualify for the second run. The fastest was Switzerland’s Lenz Haechler (bib 40), finishing 23rd at +2.47. Austria’s Lukas Feurstein (bib 49) secured the final spot in 29th at +3.21. The time spread among the top 30 was 3.23 seconds, keeping the battle tight for the afternoon finale.
Anticipation Builds for the Second Run
With the first run complete, the battle for the podium is wide open. Kristoffersen holds the lead, but Odermatt, Verdu, and a tightly packed group of challengers are all within striking distance. Late starters disrupted the standings, while North American qualifiers, including first-time finalist Gile, added to the excitement.
The afternoon finale promises high-stakes action as skiers push the limits on a deteriorating course. Can Kristoffersen defend his lead? Will Odermatt find another gear? Or will an underdog rise with a heroic second run? Stay tuned for an intense finish in Kranjska Gora.
First Run Results: Top 30 Finishers
Click images to enlarge
Analysis of the Fastest Three and North American Qualifiers
About the Author: Peter Lange
