Thrilling Showdown: Alexander Steen Olsen Takes Lead in Stifel Aspen Winternational GS

Isaiah Nelson: GEPA pictures/Matic Klansek

After Saturday’s first run of GS in Aspen, Colorado, the top three remain unchanged from yesterday. However, today, the leader isn’t Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt but the 22-year-old Norwegian Alexander Steen Olsen. Odermatt trails in third place, 0.32 seconds behind the leader, with his teammate Loic Meillard closely behind the Norwegian in second, just 0.09 seconds off the lead.

While the top three led the morning run, there were four more contenders within a second of Steen Olsen. Slovenian Zan Kranjec secured the fourth fastest time, trailing by 0.39 seconds, while Norwegian Timon Haugan followed closely behind, just 0.60 seconds off the pace. Italian Luca De Aliprandini and Croatian Filip Zubcic are also within striking distance. With such tight competition, the stage is set for an exciting second-run showdown. Meanwhile, Henrik Kristoffersen sits in eighth place, trailing by 1.06 seconds, but he’ll need a stellar second run to mount a challenge for the podium.

Today’s Strawpile course challenge was even faster than yesterday’s challenges. Because of that the finish rate was much higher. Yesterday there were seven who could not finish among the first 30 to race, today that number was four.

North Americans

Colorado native River Radamus, from the Stifel US Ski Team, made his World Cup GS debut among the top seven starters. With bib number 3, he eagerly embraced the opportunity. However, he faced a close call when he veered off course while tackling the challenging Aztec pitch, costing him valuable time against the frontrunners. He ended the morning run 30th trailing by 2.70 seconds. He will be the first to attack the second run; expect fireworks from Radamus and a big move up the leaderboard.

Next up for the Stifel US Ski Team was Tommy Ford. Unable to complete yesterday’s first run, Ford encountered some challenges again today. Despite this, he skied well before the costly mistake and, secured his spot among the top 30 and advanced to the second run. By the end of the morning session, he found himself in 26th position, trailing Steen Olsen by 2.42 seconds.

It was incredibly thrilling to see their teammate Isaiah Nelson make it to the inaugural second run of his career. With bib number 38, Nelson raced down the course and crossed the finish line, tying with his teammate River Radamus for 30th place. He will be the second racer to hit the slopes for the second course.

Unfortunately, even though their coach will set the second run, none of the two Canadian racers could qualify for the second run.

Late starter success

Once again the condition of the surface of the Stifel Aspen Winternational Strawpile GS was outstanding and it offered reward to good skiing throughout the first run.

Eight racers with bibs above 30 managed to qualify for the second run. The quickest among them was bib 52, Austrian Lukas Feurstein, who secured the 15th position (+1.62). The final qualifier was bib 53, Germany’s Anton Grammel, finishing 25th (+2.20).

As the second run approaches, anticipation mounts for an exhilarating showdown on the Strawpile course. With standout performances from athletes like Alexander Steen Olsen, Miellard, Oddrmatt and the success of Isaiah Nelson, coupled with the exceptional condition of the slopes, the stage is set for an electrifying conclusion to the Stifel Aspen Winternational GS.

Top 30 first-run results and analysis of the fastest three and North Americans who qualified for the finale

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The analysis of the fastest three and North Americans who qualified for the finale