Marco Schwarz Clinches Thrilling Madonna di Campiglio Victory

GEPA pictures/ Mathias Mandl

Once again, the flip 30 format of the FIS delivered drama throughout the entire race. With five athletes left to ski, Marco Schwarz took possession of the leader’s throne. First, he saw Switzerland’s Daniel Yule not finish, then he saw Bulgarian Albert Popov struggle and cross the finish ranked 8th. When Switzerland’s Loic Meillard also struggled and finished ranked 5th, he knew the night would end with a podium. When Norway’s Timon Haugen was unable to match his first run performance, crossing into 3rd, he knew it was no worse than second. Finally, when the first run leader France’s Clement Noel finished in 2nd (+0.25) slower than him, he knew he had won his first World Cup of the season. This season a Austrian has won both men’s slaloms. The victory represents the sixth of Schwarz’s career.

Schwarz said, “For sure, it’s one of the best Christmas gifts so far to win this classic here in Madonna. It’s unbelievable. It’s been a tough season so far – a lot of races in the last couple of weeks, but my body feels good, and I’m comfortable with my skiing.”

Schwarz leads the season’s slalom standings by 35 points over his teammate Manuel Feller. Dave Ryding is ranked third, 70 points behind the leading Austrian.

No has spent more time training on tonight’s temperature of ice than Britain’s Dave Ryding. It showed. The 16th skier on the second course delivered a fast run and was able to occupy the leader’s throne for the next eight racers. Finally, the brilliant skiing of winner Schwarz displaced the Brit. The oldest man in the field, 37-year-old Ryding, ended the night in 3rd place (+0.39). He moved up an impressive 12 positions during the final run to earn his 6th World Cup slalom podium.

After the race Ryding said, “I knew I was in a good position being just one second behind and I really like this hill – here and Kitzbuehel are my favorites.”

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Perfect snow provides an opportunity

If you were listening to the Ski and Snowboard Live race feed, the announcer claimed the snow was less than excellent and that salt was applied. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The snow was nearly perfect; it was icy, and no salt was used. There were almost no tracks visible after the race.

It only matters because snow conditions are a significant influence on the outcome. With the conditions Madonna di Campiglio offered tonight, only the athletes skiing, not their start number, determined their success. That is why the big moves up the leaderboard always took extraordinary runs. Throughout the final run, excellent skiing was rewarded with a justly earned outcome. Schwarz delivered the 3rd fastest final run to earn his victory. Tonight it was the tight times from the first run and the podium potentials that caused many of the first run leaders to push beyond their limits and make mistakes.

North Americans

Unfortunately, the only skier representing a North American team could not deliver a better second-run performance. Erik Read ran early but could not find the speed to improve his rank. However, although Read finished with only two racers behind him due to two racers not finishing and one disqualified he ended the night 25th (+2.36).

However, the former US Ski Team skier who skis for Greece AJ Ginnis executed a powerful run and crossed the finish line with the lead. Ginnis ended the evening in 10th moving up 6 positions. It was his second career top 10.

Ginnis and Read could not score in the opening slalom in Gurgl, but in the second slalom of the season, they opened their accounts.

A couple of other athletes with second run performances that significantly improved their positions were Belgiums Armand Marchant and Switzerland’s Luca Aerni, both men improved nine spots.

The next slalom will be in Adelboden Switzerland on January 7th 2024

December 22nd, Madonna di Campiglio World Cup night slalom results and analysis of the fastest three and North Americans.

Analysis of the fastest three and North Americans.