Pinturault powers to victory in Val d’Isere

Conditions could not have been any more ideal for the men’s World Cup giant slalom down the always challenging Face de Bellevarde in Val d’Isere, France, on Saturday. Pristine views and crystal clear skies were plentiful as fans were treated to a spectacle with hometown hero Alexis Pinturault taking his first GS win on French snow with a two-run time of 2:02.62 seconds, giving him the outright lead in the giant slalom standings after beginning the day in a tie with Austria’s Marcel Hirscher.

Austrian ace Hirscher finished in second, 0.33 seconds back and Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen made his first trip to a World Cup podium this season, finishing in third place, 1.50 seconds off of Pinturault’s pace.

After a commanding opening run from Pinturault that saw powerful yet fluid skiing from the Frenchman, it was clear who was in the driver’s seat heading into the second run as Hirscher sat nearly seven-tenths of a second back in third and Kristoffersen a distant 14th.

However, a formidable second run set that saw more than its fair share of racers fail to find the finish line provided an opportunity for the clever Norwegian to throw down an impressive performance that catapulted himself onto his first podium of the season. Hirscher was a man on a mission in the second run, holding nothing back as he seemed to find time where others simply could not, crossing the line with a healthy lead and then waited for Pinturault to challenge him.

Pinturault was not to be outdone and although he lost a healthy chunk of his first-run advantage, was able to walk away with a well-deserved victory.

“I won my first World Cup in Val d’Isere,” Pinturault said after the race. “It was in slalom and then I was always on the first place so I wanted to be on the podium today and at least I am on the top of the podium, so, perfect.”

Pinturault also suffered a minor, yet painful, hand injury prior to the race but was able to push through the pain for the win.

“It was difficult because for the warmup, I get so much problem with my hand and finally with adrenaline the pain went out,” he explained.

Hirscher has certainly started his season off on the right foot as he has been no worse than second in every technical race he has entered thus far as he pursues an unprecedented sixth consecutive World Cup overall title.

“The only thing I can say is that my first run was definitely not what I was expecting,” Hirscher explained. “I had a really great feeling before this race and the first run was a really big ‘wow’ effect for myself, but the second run was way better. I tried my best and finally reached the podium for another time and I’m very happy with today’s result in general, but I’m a little bit pissed off about the first run.”

For Kristoffersen, although he managed to salvage a podium finish following a disappointing opening run, the young Norwegian still feels like he has work to do before he is satisfied with his form going forward.

“My first run was not good,” said Kristoffersen. “Second run didn’t feel much better, but I think it was way faster, so I’m a little surprised to be sitting here, honestly. I think it feels bad for everybody on this hill. It’s the toughest GS in the world, so that’s pretty natural, but I feel like I’m missing something a little bit. The second run was a step in the right direction, but we’re not there yet, but getting closer I guess.”

David Chodounsky was the lone American finisher in 18th place after Ted Ligety and Tommy Ford both fell victim to the second run. Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Brennan Rubie did not qualify for the second run and Tim Jitloff did not finish his first run. Canada’s Erik Read continued his impressive GS skiing in Val d’Isere with another top-10 finish in eighth, all the way from bib 50.

“This hill is so tough,” Chodounsky said. “It’s steep. It never lets you go. I just wanted a solid run and really wanted to attack, too; I just barely squeaked in first run. I felt like I was attacking, but made some mistakes. I cleaned it up a bit second run but my GS … is a process. I’m progressing and I’m getting to be where I want it to be and I’m training fast, so it’s getting there. I’m happy with today.”

The men race slalom in Val d’Isere on Sunday.

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Top 10

1. Alexis Pinturault (FRA) – Head/Head/Head
2. Marcel Hirscher (AUT) – Atomic/Atomic/Atomic
3. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) – Rossignol/Rossignol/Look
4. Felix Neureuther (GER) – Nordica/Nordica/Marker
5. Stefan Luitz (GER) – Rossignol/Rossignol/Look
6. Philipp Schoerghofer (AUT) – Fischer/Fischer/Fischer
7. Leif Kristian Haugen (NOR) – Rossignol/Rossignol/Look
8. Erik Read (CAN) – Fischer/Fischer/Fischer
9. Mathieu Faivre (FRA) – Head/Head/Head
10. Andre Myhrer (SWE) – Head/Head/Head

Official Results