ÖSV star finishes fourth

LIVE: Braathen Aims for the Crystal Globe, ÖSV Star Wins the Day

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen managed to snatch the giant slalom crystal globe from Marco Odermatt.(Bild: AP/Gabriele Facciotti)

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen has secured the giant slalom crystal globe. The Brazilian skier also benefited from the withdrawal of his main rival, Marco Odermatt, in the first run. Braathen also claimed the day’s victory ahead of Switzerland’s Loic Meillard and Atle Lie McGrath of Norway. ÖSV ace Stefan Brennsteiner narrowly missed a podium finish. 

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the final giant slalom of the winter and edged out Marco Odermatt in the battle for the Crystal Globe. The Olympic champion, competing for Brazil, claimed victory at Tuesday’s season finale in Hafjell, while the Swiss skier, who entered the final round as the leader, was eliminated in first place during the first run. Stefan Brennsteiner finished fourth in Norway as the top Austrian.

The 34-year-old from Salzburg had entered the final round in second place behind Braathen after the first run but ultimately missed the podium. Joshua Sturm improved to seventh place, and Marco Schwarz finished ninth. Patrick Feurstein finished the race in 22nd place, while World Champion Raphael Haaser, like Odermatt, was eliminated in the first run after the first intermediate time.

Braathen takes the title
Braathen dethroned Odermatt, who had won the giant slalom standings for the past four years. The Norwegian-born skier also kept Odermatt’s compatriot Loic Meillard at bay, who had also still held out hope. The Swiss skier took the lead in the second run, but Braathen countered with nerves of steel and finished 0.58 seconds ahead. Third place went to the Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath.

“It’s unbelievable. The giant slalom crystal globe means a lot to me,” Braathen said, as emotional as ever, on ORF. “Marco is unbeatable there; he’s so consistent. It’s been an honor for me to compete for this crystal globe.” For Brazil, it’s the first crystal globe in the Alpine Ski World Cup.

Loic Meillard, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, and Atle Lie McGrath (from left to right)(Bild: AFP/CORNELIUS POPPE)

In 2023, Braathen won the slalom discipline title, at that time still representing Norway. The 25-year-old can secure another small crystal globe in the slalom on Wednesday. He trails leader McGrath by 41 points.

Odermatt out as number one
Odermatt had cleared the way for Braathen himself. The overall World Cup winner, who had also won the crystal globes in downhill and super-G, opened the race on the seemingly easy, flat slope in light rain and wind. He took too much risk over the bumps and later slipped on his inside ski. Odermatt appeared calm on the outside afterward. “I wanted to ski well again and not rely on luck with the math. I took a risk, and it didn’t pay off,” said the 28-year-old.

Marco Odermatt was eliminated in the first run.(Bild: EPA/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT)

Brennsteiner missed the final wave in the second run and lost the decisive tenths of a second in the process. “It really stings. I tried everything, but it didn’t come together that easily,” he said. In the giant slalom standings, the Salzburg native also finished in fourth place. “It was still a good season; with a little perspective, it’ll all work out,” said Brennsteiner.

Disappointment for Stefan Brennsteiner(Bild: GEPA)

“Not what I was aiming for”
Sturm was proud of his performance and identified “still enough potential” for next winter. Schwarz, however, wasn’t really satisfied with his finish. “The top ten isn’t bad, but it’s not what I was aiming for,” noted the Carinthian. He finished fifth in the giant slalom standings after nine races. “But I never really got into a good rhythm,” said Schwarz. He’s hoping for a strong finish on Wednesday. “And then I need to take a break from skiing over Easter.”