Loïc Meillard / Schladming GS / GEPA pictures
🇨🇭 Loïc Meillard delivered a composed and powerful performance under the floodlights at the Planai on Tuesday night, winning the men’s World Cup giant slalom in Schladming after a decisive second run.
The Swiss star controlled the race when it mattered most, overturning a narrow first-run deficit and sealing victory in one of Alpine skiing’s most intense environments.
Top Five — Men’s Giant Slalom | Schladming
- 1st — 🇨🇭 Loïc Meillard (SUI, 1996) — 2:14.38 — Stöckli
- 2nd — 🇧🇷 Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA, 2000) — +0.73 — Atomic / Oakley
- 3rd — 🇫🇷 Alban Elezi Cannaferina (FRA, 1998) — +0.90
- 4th — 🇨🇭 Marco Odermatt (SUI, 1997) — +1.26 — Stöckli
- 5th — 🇳🇴 Timon Haugan (NOR, 1999) — +1.63
A Night Race Like No Other
The Planai again delivered an atmosphere unmatched in Alpine skiing. The packed finish arena generated a wall of sound that built throughout the night, surging from loud to painfully loud whenever an Austrian skier started. It is an experience that can only be understood by being there, and it set the stage for a dramatic race from the first to the final skier.
Second-Run Chaos Sets the Stage
The second run opened with constant movement on the leaderboard. Frequent lead changes among the first 15 starters energized the crowd and built anticipation for what was to come.
Belgium’s Sam Maes briefly seized control midway through the run before Norway’s Timon Haugan raised the benchmark. Austria then occupied second and third behind Haugan, drawing a roar from the home crowd, though the fastest first-run skiers were still waiting at the start.
Biggest Mover
Belgium’s Sam Maes delivered the biggest charge of the night, climbing 12 positions with an aggressive second run. His surge briefly put him in control of the race and stood out as one of the defining moves before the fastest first-run skiers entered the start gate.
Elezi Cannaferina Breaks Through
France’s Alban Elezi Cannaferina delivered the fastest second run of the night, detonating the race as the first of the final eight to start. He surged into the lead by a commanding margin and quickly guaranteed himself a podium finish. The performance held up under mounting pressure and ultimately delivered his first World Cup podium.
The result also carried Olympic significance for the French skier, who acknowledged the possibility of qualifying for the Games after the breakthrough performance.
I’m just so happy. It’s amazing to do my first podium here. It’s a childhood dream. Now we will see if I am qualified for the Olympics.
— Alban Elezi Cannaferina
Meillard Takes Control
Starting second after the first run, Meillard attacked with confidence. He built time through the opening sectors of the second run, managed the demanding final pitch, and crossed the line with a 0.90-second advantage. With only one skier remaining, he was guaranteed no worse than second — and ultimately the win.
It’s always a slope I like, and I have good memories here with my first giant slalom victory. To win again here is amazing. I just tried to push all the way. I had a few small mistakes and then told myself to let go and not think too much, and it paid off.
— Loïc Meillard
The victory marked Meillard’s second GS win of the season, the sixth of his career, and his 15th World Cup GS podium.
Braathen Comes Up Just Short
Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen closed the race as the final skier to start. With his father watching nervously from the finish, he attacked with his trademark determination and aggression. Braathen skied brilliantly but could not make up enough time late, finishing second, 0.73 seconds back.
It was one hell of a race today. It was extremely challenging, probably the most difficult surface I’ve ever skied on in my life. Together with my team and my technician, we’ve done so much work to be ready for all sorts of snow conditions, and we proved that today. I’m very, very proud of that.
— Lucas Pinheiro Braathen
The Brazilian skier also embraced the unique atmosphere of the Schladming night race, where the energy inside the Planai finish arena is unmatched.
Of course I felt the energy of the fans. It’s impossible not to here. The crowd was amazing, and to travel to these World Cup classics and see Brazilian flags all over the place in between all the Austrian flags makes me immensely proud. I know Brazil was watching today, and I hope that even though it ended with second place, I was able to show them one of the most amazing races ski racing has to offer and that I represented them well.
— Lucas Pinheiro Braathen
Odermatt Misses the Podium
Swiss star Marco Odermatt entered the night as a favorite but endured an uncharacteristic giant slalom result. He lost critical time early in the second run and, despite charging hard through the final section, settled for fourth. The GS discipline leader remains on 29 career GS victories and 46 GS podiums.
Giant Slalom Season Standings
With the Schladming night race complete, Marco Odermatt continues to lead the giant slalom standings as the Olympic break approaches.
- 1st — 🇨🇭 Marco Odermatt (SUI) — 450 pts — Stöckli
- 2nd — 🇧🇷 Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) — –103 — Atomic
- 3rd — 🇨🇭 Loïc Meillard (SUI) — –124
- 4th — 🇦🇹 Stefan Brennsteiner (AUT) — –129
- 5th — 🇦🇹 Marco Schwarz (AUT) — –166 — Atomic
Canada — Erik Read
🇨🇦 Erik Read delivered his best result of the season on a hill that rewarded experience and commitment.
- 20th — Erik Read (CAN) — improved on his previous best of 27th at Copper Mountain, his only other World Cup score this winter
Stifel U.S. Ski Team
🇺🇸 River Radamus was the only Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete to qualify for the second run. Known for his strong second runs this season, Radamus showed immediate speed and intent before skiing out after leading deep into his run. Despite the DNF, the performance offered encouraging signs as he looks ahead to the Olympic Games.
Olympic Context
The Schladming night race marked the final men’s World Cup giant slalom before the Olympic Games, giving the leading contenders one last opportunity to measure form under race pressure before the sport’s biggest stage.
Race Results
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Top Three Analysis and Qualified North American & British Racers
About the Author: Peter Lange
