At the giant slalom in Adelboden, Marco Odermatt has his sights set on his seventh win of the season: After the first round, the Swiss is already clearly ahead in his home game on Saturday (January 7th, 2023). Second at half-time on the Chuenisbärgli is Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, 0.31 seconds back. Alexander Schmid, the best German in the classification, is absent due to illness. However, two DSV racers made it into the final of the top 30. The second round begins at 1:30 p.m.
Kristoffersen was allowed to start on the classic track with 56 gates on Saturday morning with start number 1. The World Cup leader in slalom set a top time of 1:17.01 minutes and was particularly convincing in the somewhat flatter middle section. In this sector, the Norwegian also took some time from his top competitor Odermatt.
Or matt with an aggressive finish
Giant slalom Olympic champion Odermatt took to the slopes with number 6. The Swiss went into the race aggressively, losing on the second split, but a strong finish on the final slope saw the 25-year-old regain the lead. From then on, his 1:16.69 minutes bit the competition. In the meantime, Odermatt’s Swiss compatriot Loic Meillard is in third place (+ 0.49 seconds). Bad luck for the Norwegian Lucas Braathen, who retired while in the lead when he slipped his hand into a gate about halfway through the race.
The back: Schmid is missing
From a German point of view, there was no top placement. Because: Alexander Schmid, the best German in the overall and giant slalom World Cup, was not present in Adelboden. The 28-year-old had to pull out of the race shortly before the start due to back pain. Most recently, before Christmas, Schmid had impressed with fifth place in Alta Badia.
Luitz and Grammel in the final
Stefan Luitz and Anton Grammel made it into the top 30 despite the high starting numbers. Luitz had to start the race with number 32 and clocked the 22nd best time of 1:20.01 minutes. The Bolsterlanger is 3.32 seconds behind Odermatt. Anton Grammel was 28th with start number 52 and a time of 1:20.71 minutes.
Rauchfuss and Gratz eliminated
Julian Rauchfuss and Fabian Gratz missed the top 30. Rauchfuss was missing with start number 54 as 35th in 1:21.28 minutes only 0.43 seconds. Fabian Gratz came in 37th with start number 53 (1:21.38 minutes).