Alpine skiing
4th Chuenisbärgli victory in a row: Odermatt wins just ahead of Meillard and De Aliprandini
Marco Odermatt creates another novelty and wins the fourth giant slalom victory in a row in Adelboden. Behind the man from Nidwalden, Loïc Meillard finished second to ensure a Swiss double victory.
For the fourth time in a row, the winner of the Adelboden giant slalom is Marco Odermatt.
Anthony Anex / EPA
When only Loïc Meillard was up there, the crowd in Adelboden already knew that there would be a home win. The question was: Odermatt or Meillard? For a long time it looked as if the Neuchâtel native could prevent the Nidwalden native’s fourth triumph; he turned into the finish slope with a lead of 33 hundredths. In this one, Odermatt was able to shine, as in the first run, and made the difference. He remained 20 hundredths ahead of Meillard.
Four victories in a row: Nobody has ever achieved that in Adelboden before. Odermatt is also at the top of the overall record at the Chuenisbärgli: after successes in the giant slalom, he drew level with the Austrian Marcel Hirscher and is only one more victory away from Ingemar Stenmark’s record.
Meillard, who after four podium places in the slalom, now also reached the podium in the giant slalom, was left behind, but is still waiting for his first victory. He will be able to console himself with the fact that he has contributed a large part to the Swiss party in Adelboden. With Thomas Tumler and Luca Aerni in 4th and 7th place, the locals in the Bernese Oberland achieved a fantastic result.
The podium was completed by Italian Luca De Aliprandini, who gained nine places thanks to the best time in the second run. He celebrated with the Swiss team, who he knows very well as Michelle Gisin’s fiancé.
The Norwegians were left behind: Henrik Kristoffersen and Atle Lie McGrath, who had placed 2nd and 4th in the first run, were unable to push the Swiss. Both failed. (sda)
The live ticker for the race:
Swiss
