Who is skiing, when and how to watch Sunday’s Alta Badia GS

Tomorrow, the Italian community will host the first of two Gran Risa giant slalom races on Alta Badia’s race hill. The overnight forecast is for clear skies and freezing temperatures. Consequently, it should be a great day for the competition. It is quite likely that snow surface guru Christian Steinbach has prepared the slope and it is in great condition.

They could hand the GS and Overall leader, Marco Odermatt, the winner’s checks before his arrival. However, as we saw in the Thursday downhill in Val Gardena-Gröden, the best can be beaten. Make no mistake he is the best GS skier in the world but a bad day, injury or mistake can cost him the victory.

It is also apparent that if it isn’t Odermatt, a large group is ready to take advantage. Zan Kranjec is always pushing for victory. Is it time for the two young Norwegians, Braathen and McGrath? Feller is fast and Schmid is a wild rocket.

North American preview

River Radamus has yet to show his best form. Is he due for a great result? Radamus likes this hill. It is almost tailor-made for his skill set and he was 6th and 10th here in 2021.

As he returns from injury, USA’s Tommy Ford is quickly working his way back to the podium. Will the conditions work in his favor and allow him to compete for another victory?

Canadian, Erik Read, is currently 15th in the GS standings. In the 2021 edition of the race, he had two top-15 finishes representing his best efforts on the Gran Risa. Will 2022 see him break into the top 10? if you know his skiing you know he is rock solid and that matches the test that is the Gran Risa.

The Alta Badia is difficult and demanding. Anything can happen and this race has changed careers. It would certainly not surprise any educated viewer if Odermatt won both races but it certainly would not surprise the same viewers if he doesn’t. That is why they call it racing and not winning.

The Canadians have entered five racers and the Stifel US Alpine Team has entered four.

The North Americans entered in the December 18th Atla Badia Giant Slalom

• Bib 12, River Radamus, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Taos Ski Valley, Rossignol, Look, SWIX, ASP
• Bib 18, Erik Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic, UVEX
• Bib 21, Trevor Philp, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 24, Tommy Ford, USST, Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, HEAD
• Bib 33, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD
• Bib 46, Brian McLaughlin, Global Racing, Dartmouth College, GMVS, Marker/Dalbello/Völkl, SWIX, ASP, TOKO
• Bib 49, George Steffey, Global Racing, Stratton Mountain School, Marker/Dalbello/Völkl, SWIX, ASP, TOKO
• Bib 52, Riley Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 59, Liam Wallace, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers, Rossignol/LOOK

The first run of the Giant Slalom begins at 4:00 am Eastern time and 1:00 am on the West Coast. The second run is scheduled to air at 7:30 am Eastern Time and 4:30 am on the West Coast.

In the United States, Ski and Snowboard Live offers live and full replay with English announcers.

Start list and program for the December 18th Alta Badia Giant Slalom