After yesterday’s podium in giant slalom Loic Meillard confirms that he has found himself and is the fastest in the first heat of the Val d’Isere slalom. The Swiss is in the lead in 47″49 ahead of a Norwegian trio (plus 1): Haugan (at 5/100), McGrath (at 14/100), Kristoffersen (at 43/100) and Braathen, who however competes for Brazil, at 51/100. The best of the Italians is Tommaso Sala: who started with bib number 29 and is ninth at 1″19 thanks to a perfect second part of the heat. “Nice heat, the first gates weren’t easy. Without overdoing it, I tried to make speed in the sections of the junctions. The second heat will be fun.”
what a room
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The track, which was not blocked, soon showed the first signs, so much so that the top 8 in the standings are the top 7 at the start, the exception being the British Taylor who managed to keep in line with the best at the end and, having started in 27th, was seventh. Vinatzer (at 2″28), after yesterday’s eighth place in the giant slalom, struggled in a narrow layout and with marks on the track: “It was difficult to get into the rhythm, it was impossible to keep the line. I tried to get to the bottom of it. There are two heats, anything can happen here in Val d’Isere”. For now, Tobias Kastlunger is also in the qualifying zone, 27th at 2″47. Canins, Maurberger and Saccardi still have to leave.
The second heat is scheduled for 1pm.