Steven Amiez Val d’Isère slalom: GEPA pictures
Flat Light and High Expectations in Val d’Isère
Overcast skies brought flat light to the Stade Olympique de Bellevarde race slope in Val d’Isère. Despite the challenging visibility, the world’s best men confidently attacked the expertly prepared snow. French spectators arrived with high hopes for their slalom star, Clément Noël, who had dominated the first two slaloms of the season. The return of Austrians Marco Schwarz and Manuel Feller also promised an exciting showdown, marking the first time this season that all the top stars were set to race. However, news broke this morning that Noël’s injury from his giant slalom crash yesterday would keep him from competing on home soil.
First Run Sets the Stage for Afternoon Drama
The purpose of the first run is to set the stage for the afternoon finale. As race fans know, only the fastest 30 from the morning are invited to compete in the second run. The results from the first run determine the start order, with the fastest skier racing last, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the afternoon showdown.
Amiez Electrifies the Crowd with Morning’s Fastest Time
After the top seven racers completed their first run, Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen held a 0.34-second lead over last season’s slalom champion, Austria’s Manuel Feller. The French fans, however, had reason to celebrate when rising star Steven Amiez, skiing with bib 10, ignited the crowd. The 26-year-old delivered the morning’s fastest time, finishing 0.32 seconds ahead of the Norwegian veteran and giving the home nation something to cheer about.
However, the race is tight, with six athletes within a second of Amiez’s best time. That group includes Kristoffersen, Feller, Norway’s Timon Haugan, his teammate Atle Lie McGrath, and Swiss star Loïc Meillard.
Straightforward Course, Demanding Slope
The course set encouraged aggressive skiing, allowing racers to push from top to bottom. However, the Stade Olympique de Bellevarde presented its traditional challenge with steep, icy pitches and unforgiving terrain. Even so, only two of the first 15 racers failed to finish, and Noël’s DNS left a noticeable absence in the morning’s competition. Steven Amiez maintained the lead through the first run despite the slope’s difficulty.
Once the first run was completed, six racers with bibs above 30 managed to qualify for the second run. Leading the pack was Finland’s 21-year-old Eduard Hallberg, who skied with bib 35 and finished 15th fastest. The final qualifier was France’s Victor Muffat-Jeandet, who used his bib 39 to finish 21st and delighted the home crowd.
Schwarz Returns to Action
The spotlight turned to Austria’s Marco Schwarz as bib 16 returned to competition after his January crash in Bormio last season. Schwarz skied confidently and delivered a solid run, finishing 10th fastest, 1.73 seconds behind the French leader. He arrived at the finish to cheers from an appreciative crowd, who will eagerly watch him compete in the afternoon finale.
Ritchie’s First-Run Struggles
The first North American to take on the course was Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Ben Ritchie, the emerging slalom leader for the United States. Starting among the first 30 for the first time, Ritchie carried momentum from scoring in both Levi and Gurgl. He skied confidently but straddled near the finish, ending his run prematurely and failing to complete the course.
Opportunities Open for High Start Numbers
By the time the first 30 racers had completed their runs, four had failed to finish, and Noël’s absence left significant opportunities for those with higher start numbers to qualify. Wearing bib 31, Stifel U.S. Ski Team veteran Jett Seymour completed his season’s first race run. However, he finished 3.31 seconds off the pace, casting doubt on whether his time would secure a spot in the afternoon finale.
Sitting on the bubble in 30th for much of the first run, Seymour held on to hope. With one racer remaining to challenge his position, he had to be both nervous and optimistic. When the final competitor failed to displace him, Seymour knew he had earned the first starting position for the afternoon run. It marked his first qualification of the season, a promising step forward.
Seymour was the only North American to qualify. Although Canadian veteran Erik Read finished one spot 0.18 seconds behind Seymour in 31st.
First-Run Top 30 & Analysis of the Fastest Three, and Jett Seymour
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Analysis of the Fastest Three, and Jett Seymour
About the Author: Peter Lange
