2nd chance in Wengen – Meillard’s dream of winning the Adelboden is shattered – but the form is right – Sport

The Valaisian was eliminated in the first round of the Adelboden slalom. But he doesn’t have to change anything fundamental.

Loïc Meillard was the first Swiss ever to start a slalom in Adelboden with the red start number. The flags were waved in the finish stadium and the crowd cheered the Valaisan on as he turned into the finish slope.

But then the inside ski took hold too early and Meillard threaded in. From the dream of a home win, of the first success on the Chuenisbärgli, after coming third in the giant slalom in 2021 and 2023. “It hurts to be eliminated, especially here in Adelboden,” said the 28-year-old a little later at the finish. But that’s just the way slalom sports are: “It’s a discipline that’s unfair. You can drive perfectly and then merge, that’s part of this sport.”

The fact that he was doing well and would probably have finished the first run in the top 5 didn’t give him any consolation on Saturday. “That doesn’t help today,” says Meillard. “But it shows that I don’t have to change everything because of an out.”

Redress possible in Wengen

True words, after all, despite back problems, he had been a model of consistency in the slalom so far this season. Ranks 2, 2, 3, 5 and 2 earned him the red starting number and elevated him to the role of top favorite.

In Wengen in just one week, Meillard will have the chance to shine in front of the home crowd and cause the Swiss to cheer. These should accompany him on the Lauberhorn to the finish line and beyond.

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