The Val d'Isère slalom confirmed Loïc Meillard's very good form in the discipline. Third in Levi, fifth in Gurgl, the Neuchâtel resident climbed onto the third step of the podium. Victory went to Henrik Kristoffersen ahead of his compatriot Atle Lie McGrath.
Meillard therefore reached the podium in Val d'Isère for the second time in his career. He had already finished 3rd in 2022 during the slalom on the Bellevarde face.
After a good effort in the morning (6th), the Hérémence skier remained solid at the start of the afternoon on a marked slope which eliminated seven skiers, including Steven Amiez. The Frenchman, in the lead at the end of the first round, was eliminated at the first gates of the second route to the great disappointment of the French fans, already deprived of their champion Clément Noël. The winner of the first two slaloms of the season withdrew after his fall during the giant on Saturday.
Victory went to Henrik Kristoffersen, who had not won in the World Cup since the Wengen slalom in January 2023. The Norwegian confirmed his sparkling start to the season. In six races, he finished 2nd twice, 5th twice, 6th once and therefore first once. He is logically at the top of the general ranking of the World Cup, ahead of his compatriot Atle Lie McGrath.
The other Swiss in difficulty
Already in difficulty during the first round, the other Swiss slalom riders experienced even more difficulty during a second course despite being picketed by their coach. Luca Aerni finished 18th, 2”16 behind Kristoffersen and Daniel Yule took 20th place (+2”22). Tanguy Nef, 14th in the first round, was eliminated.
Marc Rochat, eliminated for the third time in a row in the first round of slalom, Ramon Zenhäusern and Fadri Janutin did not qualify for the second round.
ats/pc
