Icy giant slalom

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Loic Meillard put in a strong performance in both runs of the giant slalom in Schladming.(Bild: GEPA)

The giant slalom night race in Schladming did not bring the hoped-for Austrian podium finish. Marco Schwarz was the best ÖSV skier on Tuesday evening, finishing eighth in front of 15,000 home fans. Victory on the icy slopes of Planai went to Switzerland's Loic Meillard, who also won here three years ago. Second place went to Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (+0.73 seconds), who was leading at the halfway stage, while third place went to France's Alban Elezi Cannaferina (+0.90).

Schwarz lost four places in the final run, and in the end the Carinthian was one second off a podium place. "I didn't believe in myself enough in the middle section, and then you're out of the running," said Schwarz, explaining his deficit. Joshua Sturm was the second-best Austrian in twelfth place. Stefan Brennsteiner had to settle for 15th place, just ahead of Patrick Feurstein. World champion Raphael Haaser only managed 22nd place. Manuel Feller, with start number 49, clearly missed the final in his last World Cup giant slalom, finishing 44th. Lukas Feurstein was eliminated in the first run.

The final standings:

Marco Odermatt was also among the defeated, but the Swiss clearly defended his World Cup lead with fourth place after seven of nine giant slaloms this winter. Another World Cup slalom will take place on the Planai on Wednesday (5:45 p.m./8:45 p.m.).

Planai as an ice rink
The course on the Planai was particularly nasty for the athletes this time. After the first run, Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen said to ORF in disbelief: "I don't think I've ever skied a giant slalom where it was so icy in 14 years of World Cup giant slalom." Braathen spoke of "the icest race I have ever skied." Eighteen ski racers failed to finish the first run, while in the final there were only two failures and one disqualification due to a gate error.

Schwarz did not want to blame his result on the condition of the slope. "Of course it was very crisp, but this is an outdoor sport. Something like this can happen. I don't think we need to complain about every slope now." The 30-year-old was gutted not to have achieved a possible podium place in front of his home fans. "The disappointment today is much greater than the joy of a top 10 finish." Brennsteiner felt similarly. "It was a battle from top to bottom. I think you could see that."

Stefan Brennsteiner(Bild: GEPA)

There was more joy for teammate Sturm, who achieved his best result in the World Cup with twelfth place. "I think I did quite well in the second run. My form is on the up, I'm satisfied," said the 24-year-old, who did not qualify for the Olympics. Patrick Feurstein made up nine places in the final with the eighth-fastest time. "I was really pushing the limits and, thank God, I found them."

Ice king Meillard
But the ice king of Schladming was Loic Meillard, who celebrated his ninth World Cup victory, his sixth in giant slalom. Ice is simply his métier, the Swiss said on ORF. "That's where I can ski best, where I've always felt comfortable. Today it worked again. I managed to carry out my plan." The 29-year-old Meillard now has three World Cup victories in Austria – two in Schladming and one in Saalbach. Elezi Cannaferina stood on the World Cup podium for the first time, his best result to date having been eleventh place.