One day after the giant slalom, the FIS also canceled the slalom in Kranjska Gora on Wednesday (March 6, 2024). It is therefore clear that Linus Straßer can no longer win the slalom ball.
Due to the persistent rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, the track had finally become unusable for a race, the world association announced, and an alternative location was not available in such a short time.
The duel for the slalom ball is now decided. Straßer, winner in Kitzbühel and Schladming as well as third and second in the two World Cups in the USA, was so far 169 points behind the Austrian Manuel Feller and thus still had a minimal chance of overall victory in this discipline. He would be the first German after Armin Bittner (1989 and 1990) to take the slalom crown.
When Straßer went from sixth to second place in the second race last weekend at the race in the state of Colorado, and his competitor Feller only came fifth, the German’s hopes were high. The lead over his competitor had finally diminished considerably. The fact that the weather is now bringing the duel to a quick end is somehow fitting for the Alpine season, which was extremely influenced by the external conditions.
The weather doesn’t cooperate
Initially, the FIS canceled the giant slalom on Tuesday and brought the slalom forward to Saturday. There was great hope of holding at least one race in Slovenia. But 24 hours and many drops of rain later it became clear that no ski race would be possible in Kranjska Gora.
The Alpine season remains confused. At the start of the season, five races had to be canceled due to freak weather. The start of the giant slalom in Sölden did not go ahead as planned and had to be canceled.