Loïc Meillard took third place in the Val d’Isère slalom on Sunday, his second podium of the season. Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen triumphed in the World Cup for the first time since January 2023.
Meillard confirmed his status as the best Swiss slalom skier of the moment after his 3rd place in Levi and his 5th place in Gurgl, finishing 0”89 behind Kristoffersen. The skier from Hérémence 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.
The other Swiss in difficulty
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 classification of the World Cup, ahead of his compatriot Atle Lie McGrath, second Sunday at 0”52.
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.
Related News :