Tommy Ford’s Inspiring Top-Ten Finish

Zubcic, Odermatt and Kranjec, GEPA pictures/Thomas Bachun

It is a privilege to be a fan of skiing racing during the career of Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt. Odermatt, who raced the previous three days in Val Gardena/Gröden, showed no lack of energy while winning his career 16th World Cup GS. Today also represents his third on the difficult test, which is the Gran Risa. The man was among the fastest in every timing sector, confirming his skills are amazingly complete. Bravo Magnificent Marco Bravo. Thank you for the entertainment.

In the finish, Odermatt said,” The snow was better than I expected in the second run. It was not as bumpy as I would have thought. So I still tried to push and I thought it was a good run. Then it was quite tight. Then I saw the big advantage to the third. So Zubo and I skied very well today.” When asked about winning tomorrow, he responded, “I would be ready, but I’m not sure if the energy is, but yeah, one more day, two more runs. I will give it all.”

The first of the men within a second of Odermatt’s first run, the best time, was Slovenian Zan Kranjec. The strong man delivered an attacking run and took the lead. He was guaranteed a podium after he watched Austrian Marco Schwarz finish just behind him. However, another man known for his physical prowess, Croatian Filip Zubcic, delivered the fastest second run to take a vast (-2.07) lead. It seemed unlikely that even the Magnificent Marco would overcome his superb effort. But then again, Odermatt continues to deliver the impossible. There was room only for established veteran GS stars on today’s podium.

Andorra’s Joan Verdu has developed a new higher level of performance. Moving effortlessly from ski to ski, he followed up his season opener Val d’Isère podium with a spectacular 5th (+2.67).

Stifel US Ski Team’s Tommy Ford

As a result of two well-skied runs, Stifel US Ski Team’s Tommy Ford delivers a brilliant result. Ford has spoken about his goal to regain his passion for the sport. Today, while experiencing one of the sport’s most demanding tests, he delivered two runs fueled by inspiration. Ford earns his first top-ten of the season and will look to carry his momentum into tomorrow’s Gran Risa exam. He finished the day 9th (+3.52)

Ford commented on his day saying, “Today’s performance was a blast. It felt freeing to ski like that and yeah, for tomorrow, just looking forward to being on the Gran Risa another time. It’s always a pleasure.”

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The unyielding Gran Risa Alta Badia race hill has delivered another spectacular giant slalom. The demanding race venue offers a stout test of all an athlete’s giant slalom skills, and we can enjoy the next edition tomorrow.

Even when the snow surface is excellent, starting early is an advantage. Running early on the second run is always an opportunity to move up the ranks. Today was no exception. Today, Italian slalom star Alex Vinatzer was rewarded for his good skiing. The third racer to compete during the second run, Vinatzer, arrived in the finish with the lead and kept it for the next four racers, and by the end of the day, his afternoon efforts gained him nine positions. He finished 19th th (+4.72).

However, Fench skier Thibaut Favrot made the most significant second-run move. He delivered a brilliant effort and moved up 12 positions to finish 11th (+3.78). Skiing like one of the world’s best, Thibaut descended with clean precision and full power. He was the third fastest during the second run.

Unfortunately, both of the Canadian athletes struggled during their afternoon run. However, because of the three racers who did not finish, Crawford moved up one position to 25th (+6.99), and Read lost only two positions to finish 26th (+7.02). Two more North Americans were added to the list of men who have scored World Cup points this season: Ford and Crawford. It brings the current total to four.

First run top 30 and analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans.

Analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans