Kristoffersen and “Odi” hunt Meillard in Adelboden

Loic Meillard leads the giant slalom in Adelboden. Kristoffersen and the giant slalom king Marco Odermatt are lurking close behind him.

The Swiss local hero Loic Meillard leads the giant slalom in Adelboden. Close behind the 28-year-old is Henrik Kristoffersen from Norway (+0.27 seconds).

Last season’s giant slalom king, Marco Odermatt (currently in third place), also has the best chance of winning the coveted Adelboden cowbell with 0.34 seconds. The fastest three in the prestigious giant slalom on Chuenisbärgli win not only the prize money but also a large and heavy cowbell.

Atle Lie McGrath lurks just a hundredth of a second behind Odermatt. He is +0.35 seconds short of the best time. “It was good, the gap isn’t that big. I can attack fully in the second run“said pursuer McGrath after race one on ZDF.

Braathen out, DSV athletes relegated

The new Brazilian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who celebrated his second podium finish of the season in the slalom the day before, dropped out in the middle part of the route.

The German racing drivers started the race late. After the injury-related loss of Alexander Schmid (torn cruciate ligament) – the number one in the German giant slalom team – the DSV contenders for top placement are missing. Anton Grammel, who achieved his best career result with an 11th place in Alta Badia, started the race with start number 29.

He had his difficulties on the Chuenisbärgli – he drove with the handbrake on. The gap was already too big in the upper part – at the finish it was 2.28 seconds behind the best time. “That certainly wasn’t everything I can do. But it wasn’t easy either,” said Grammel after run one. Fabian Gratz (+2.48 seconds) and Jonas Stockinger (+3.09 seconds) still have a chance of qualifying for the second run. Stefan Luitz was eliminated.