GEPA pictures

After the first run of the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup Slalom, Germany’s Linus Strasser is the race leader. However, there are three others within a second of his time. French star Clement Noel is second (+0.40), and the season slalom leader Austrian Manuel Feller was the third fastest (+0.46). The only other racer within a second of Strasser is Norwegian Timon Haugan, who was second in Palisades Tahoe a year ago.

Strasser earned two World Cup victories this season in Kitzbühel and Schladming, Austria. He is also currently second to Feller in the season’s slalom standings. He seemed to love the western US surface and skied with balance and precision, rarely getting offline during his run. His performance was rewarded with a significant lead.

The slope was in excellent condition, and the men could execute fantastic skiing. However, the time differentials were significant. Although good skiing was rewarded throughout the run, many athletes struggled to find speed on the grippy, hard and dry snow.

After the first 15 had skied, the time spread was significant (2.99) among those who finished without substantial challenges. Once the first 20 had competed, that differential increased to (+3.57). After the first run, the time differential between the fastest and thirtieth was (3.34).

Seven racers with start numbers above 30 qualified for the afternoon finale. The fastest of that group was bib 40 Belgium Armand Marchant 14th (+2.14). The last to do so was bib 45 Belgium’s Sam Maes 29th (+ 3.32). Three of the first 30 to race did not finish. Twelve countries have athletes in the afternoon finale.

North American athletes

Stifel US Ski Team’s Jett Seymour was the first North American to ski. Notably, Jett has qualified for two previous second runs this season. He did it again today before family and friends and ignited the California spectators. Seymour skied well on the dry western snow and delivered the 23rd fastest first run time (+2.68). He will be the eighth racer to start the second run.

Unfortunately, among the seven North Americans in the race, only Seymour earned his way into the afternoon finale.

As the race heats up, all eyes are on the final run to see who will emerge as the ultimate champion. With Linus Strasser leading the pack and competitors hot on his heels, it’s anyone’s game. Stay tuned as the second run decides the fate of the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup Slalom.

Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup top 30 first run SL results and analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans

Click on images to enlarge

The analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans