The Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen, among the favorites on the big globe but author of a disappointing start to the season, managed an impressive comeback in the second round to win the World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio (Italy).
He edged his compatriot Sebastian Foss-Solevaag by 33 hundredths and the Italian Alex Vinatzer by 34. The French managed a group shot close to the podium.
“The last three weeks have been difficult. I think I have never been so moved after a victory. ”
Henrik kristoffersen
Used to victories and podiums (he now has 22 and 64 respectively in his career) and known to be tough or even slightly austere, Henrik Kristoffersen (26) seemed touched as rarely when lifting his skis in the air and for his first reaction to the microphone of the International Ski Federation (FIS).
“The last three weeks have been difficult.
I think I have never been so moved after a win.
I have already had difficult times in my career but I have always come back.
Skiing is my life: I have ski, my family, and that's it, ”he said.
Kristoffersen has indeed started his season upside down.
Him holding the small globes of slalom and giant, twice runner-up to the untouchable Marcel Hirscher (in 2016 and 2018) had only climbed the podium once during the parallel in Lech (Austria), remaining in particular at giant distance (5th, 22nd, 12th and 15th).
Foss-Solevaag cracks in the second round
On Tuesday he had started his race badly: only 12th after the first run, he was furious in the finish area.
But a second round of fire (3rd time) where he took all the risks changed everything.
With his 6th place obtained on Monday at Alta Badia, he took the red bib as leader of the slalom and finally launched his season.
Behind him his compatriot Sebastian Foss-Solevaag can blame himself.
Imperial in the first run, he started last with a second and 25 hundredths ahead of Kristoffersen, a chasm at this level.
But he completely missed his second pass (25th time) and is content with second place.
His 3rd career podium should still delight this pure specialist, aged 29, not in the box since March 2016.
Behind the Norwegians one of the great talents of the world slalom confirmed at home.
Alex Vinatzer, 3rd, validated at 21 a second podium after that obtained in January in Zagreb.
The Blues must be satisfied with the places of honor.
Despite several mistakes, Clément Noël snatched 5th place to redeem himself for his mistake on Monday (eliminated in the first round).
Jean-Baptiste Grange, thanks to the 2nd fastest time in the second round, took 6th place, his best performance for more than two years.
A deliverance for him who had seriously injured his left knee in January 2019 and has since been trying to come back among the best.
Pinturault increases his lead in the general classification
The double world champion finished tied with his compatriot Alexis Pinturault, who has not yet been able to play with the very best, but scores valuable points for the general classification.
"I was not aggressive enough in the first run, it was much better in the second, I was able to play my game well to stay in contact, I'm happy in these snow conditions not easy for me", a- he explained, relieved.
He thus increases his lead in the general classification, with now 65 points more than the Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who does not run the slaloms.
Victor Muffat-Jeandet on the other hand experienced a disappointment: 8th in the first round and 5th Monday at Alta Badia, the Savoyard had started very strong but straddled the top of the second track.
Read also
Winner of the giant of Alta Badia, Pinturault equals the legend Alberto Tomba