Marco Odermatt GEPA pictures/Thomas Bachun

The first racer on the Gran Risa was Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen. However, after the first seven racers skied, he was (+1.91) behind the Swiss leader Marco Odermatt. When Odermatt skis with his average precision and balance, no one in the world can match him. Skiing world-class on the Gran Risa requires skill and tremendous strength. Today, only three racers could come within a second of Odermatt’s first run time. Croatian Filip Zubcic (+0.31) had the second-fastest morning run, followed by Austrian Marco Schwarz (+0.36) and Slovenia’s Zan Kranjec (+0.88).

These are the best GS skiers in the world, and their performances seem beyond humanly possible. However, Odermatt is generally beyond their reach. After the first fifteen completed their morning runs, the time spread from Odermatt to 15th best Austrian Raphael Haaser was (+5.84). The difference between the tenth-best Manuel Feller and Odermatt was (+2.19).

North Americans

Stifel US Ski Team’s GS number one, River Radamus, skis the Gran Risa well, but today, after a quick first sector, he put his right hip on the ground, missed a gate, and did not finish. He will be glad to have a chance at redemption tomorrow. One of the two other North Americans who start among the first thirty, veteran Canadian Erik Read, struggled in the same turn but made it to the bottom and is tied 24th (+3.50) behind the Swiss leader. The other is Stifel US Team member Tommy Ford, who skied well and, with bib 25, finished the morning 15th (+2.35).

After three days of successful speed discipline competitions in Val Gardena/Gröden, Canadian James “Jack” Crawford qualifies for the afternoon finale. Crawford finished the morning ranked 26th (+3.59). The two Canadians will have early start numbers during the second run, an excellent opportunity to improve their rank.

Unfortunately, Stifel US Ski Team member George Steffey had his right ski release and joined Radamus among those who did not finish. They were joined on the DNF list by US independent Patrick Kenney. The other four North Americans could not find the speed required to qualify for the second run.

The morning’s fastest thirty advancing to the afternoon run are separated by a significant (+3.95). Five racers with start numbers above thirty could qualify for the second run. Bib 62 Frenchman Leo Anguenot was the fastest and the last to do so. He finished the morning ranked 22nd (+3.29).

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

Analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans