10:12
Loïc Meillard (SUI)
What can Loïc Meillard do against his teammate? Not much either. After major mistakes, the second Swiss in the field lost time at the top. Far too many sliding phases and a botched timing ensure that he can’t find his way in and ends up 2.45 seconds behind Kristoffersen.
10:11
Alexis Pinturault (FRA)
Alexis Pinturault made a serious mistake in the upper part, which cost him 0.55 seconds. After that, the Frenchman is busy, tries a lot and just can’t seem to find his way anymore. His frustration can be seen in the finish area. He shakes his head at fifth place, 1.54 seconds behind.
10:09
Filip Zubcic (CRO)
Kristoffersen might not like to see these runs. After Schwarz and Odermatt, Filip Zubcic also delivered a really good ride with a few serious mistakes. After a steep steep slope, he is well on his way to Odermatt and only has to retreat at the bottom. With a gap of 36 hundredths, it comes in second place.
10:07
Marco Odermatt (SUI)
Now comes the moment of truth for Marco Schwarz. Can he also outpace Odermatt in the first round? The Swiss jumps out of the starting gate, is extremely strong on the skis and pushes hard even in the difficult transitions and stays at the limit. Odermatt achieved a top time and took the lead from Schwarz with a lead of 0.36 seconds.
10:05
Zan Kranjec (SLO)
The Slovenian has already celebrated successes on this slope, but in his first run he can’t come close to Black’s great performance. Kranjec was close for a long time, but Black was really quick at the bottom and here Kranjec had to miss out once again. At 0.52 seconds he is also quite clearly behind.
10:04
Marco Schwarz (AUT)
Now it shows how much the first time is worth. Marco Schwarz took second place in the only giant slalom this season. And here too he is extremely strong! Black gets along really well in the first section, stands well on the crossbars and the changes in rhythm don’t pose any problems for him. He comes through with a top time of 1:15.19 minutes. He took 1.55 seconds off the starting runner.
10:02
Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR)
The race will be opened by Henrik Kristoffersen. The Norwegian has already been on the podium here six times. What can he present for his competitors at the Gran Risa today? Kristoffersen gets through well, doesn’t make any big mistakes and only has to struggle with the line for a few seconds. He sets 1:16.74 minutes.
09:55
The conditions
The temperatures are slightly below zero and there is hardly any wind. The slope is in perfect condition before the first round and should provide fair conditions. The course in the first round was set by the ÖSV technical trainer Martin Kroisleitner in a rotating manner and with small goal gaps.
09:51
Meillard is lurking
In addition to Odermatt in Alta Badia, the Swiss team has Loïc Meillard (7) on the list. But Gino Caviezel (14) can also do a lot on a good day. Thomas Tummler (20) and Justin Murisier (30) will fight for positions in the top 20. Sandro Zurbrügg (69) and Fadri Janutin (55) should also be kept in mind after their top results. The large squad is completed by Livio Simonet (33), Marco Fischbacher (36), Josua Mettler (37) and Semyel Bissig (54).
09:46
Will Schmid follow up?
On his return to the World Cup after his injury break, Alexander Schmid (10) was able to take a good ninth place in France. A result that the DSV starter would certainly like to confirm again. Meanwhile, Fabian Gratz (38), Jonas Stockinger (57) and Anton Grammel (64) have to deliver good results and work their way into the better starting group.
09:38
Is black involved again?
Marco Schwarz is also certainly one of the favorites after his second place in France and his good performance in the canceled giant slalom in Sölden. If the Austrian gets his runs on the edges well, a lot is possible. In addition to him, Manuel Feller (8), Stefan Brennsteiner (15) and Raphael Haaser (12) also want to attack. For Patrick Feurstein (23) it is also a matter of staying on track and maintaining his place in the top 30 group. Joshua Sturm (50), Noel Zwischenbrugger (59) and Fabio Gstrein (70) complete the Austrian squad.
09:34
Look at the favorites
After his brilliant victory in Val d’Isere, the big favorite is of course once again Marco Odermatt from Switzerland. He takes to the slopes in fourth place today. In addition to Henrik Kristoffersen from Norway (start number 1), Alexis Pinturault (6) from the French team and also Filip Zubcic (5) from Croatia and the surprise third from Val d’Isere, Joan Verdu (13), should be taken into account to challenge him .
09:31
Challenge Gran Risa
Shortly before Christmas, the drivers face an extraordinary challenge: the Gran Risa has a maximum gradient of 69 percent over a 1.2-kilometer route. With an average inclination angle of 36 percent, this slope is one of the most demanding in the Ski World Cup. Characteristic are numerous curves, seemingly flat sections and the distinctive “cat’s humps”.
09:17
Good morning!
Hello and welcome to the men’s giant slalom in Alta Badia! The first round is at 10:00 a.m. before the final round begins at 1:30 p.m.