As usual, on the Tuesday after Kitzbuehel, Schladming stages his traditional Night Slalom. More than 50’000 people were present to cheer for the skiers that kicked off the start gate today and pushing them down the steep Planai course.
This year, without Marcel Hirscher, was again the time for Henrik Kristoffersen who earned his fourth World Cup win in Schladming, over his contenders Alexis Pinturault (second +0.34) and Daniel Yule (third +0.83).
Henrik Kristoffersen claimed his 21st World Cup Victory and the 3rd of the season. In the second run, Kristoffersen made a big mistake after 3 gates and it looked like his race was compromised. The Norwegian talent, however, pulled himself together and performed a terrific second part of the second run to keep the lead.
"This is my home. I lived for six months in Ramsau, 10 minutes from here. I live in Salzburg, and I’ve lived in Austria for four years now. It’s where I won my first World Cup race, so this is really like my home race", said Kristoffersen. "I am sorry for Marco. I would like to have a fight all the way to the finish". Reflecting on his near-crash and how he could recover to win, he added, "I don’t know. I honestly thought I was out there. And I think if you look at the video, it’s not that much to do before it’s out. You just have to keep on fighting. That’s how it is. That’s how Marcel [Hirscher] always did it, and that’s how we have to do it".
Alexis Pinturault skied two impressive runs and brought home a positive result after two DNFs in the last two slalom races. It's the second slalom podium for Pinturault, after his victory in Val d'Isere back in December.
Daniel Yule confirms his great moment and achieves another podium, the fourth in the last five races. For the Swiss slalom ace, it's the third consecutive year that he finishes in the third position in the Austrian night slalom.
Clement Noel, 30 after the first run, was able to climb up to a final 4th place thanks to an impressive best second run.
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