More than 15,000 spectators, floodlights, storms of enthusiasm for all runners – it has only been there since 2023 Giant slalom in Schladming but this race already has what it takes to the classic.
Die eisige Plans represented the runners in the first round last giant slalom before the Winter Olympics facing big problems. Hardly any athlete crossed the finish line without slipping and having problems. He did best Brazilian Pinheiro Braathen who leads the rankings at halftime.
“That was the iciest race of my career,” said the 25-year-old.
Braathen sent off the Swiss Loic Meillard by 6 hundredths of a second to second place. The German Fabian Gratz is third.
Behind it is with Marco Schwarz already the best Austrian. The Carinthian lost 42 hundredths of a second to the half-time leader and is now in the lead on course for the podium.
Not all runners coped well with the icy conditions. Stefan Brennsteinerwho normally doesn’t like such conditions, lost 1.40 seconds to the best time.
Joshua Sturm (+1.48) qualified like world champions Raphael Haaser (+1.86) also for the second round.