The first of two giant slaloms for the 62nd Vitranc Cup takes place in Kranjska Gora. After the first run, the world and Olympic champion Marco Odermattt is leading, while Žan Kranjec, from 2nd place, will start hunting for her first podium at her home race.
On a clear night in Kranjska Gora, the temperature did not drop below freezing. Shortly before the start, it was 4 degrees Celsius at the finish line, and the fog gave way to the sun by the time the giant slalom started. As much as 12 degrees is predicted during the day in sunny weather. Saturday’s giant slalom will be held, but the south may threaten Sunday’s race.
The first run started at 9:30 a.m., the second run will start at 12:30 p.m. Live broadcast on TV SLO 2/MMC and Wave 202!
Prva vožnja po št. 15 (od 65): 1. M. ODERMATT ŠVI 1:07,60 2. Ž. KRANJEC SLO +0,53 3. H. KRISTOFFERSEN NOR 0,54 4. S. BRENNSTEINER AVT 0,65 5. A. PINTURAULT FRA 0,80 6. M. SCHWARZ AVT 0,94 7. L. MEILLARD ŠVI 1,14 8. L. BRAATHEN NOR 1,23 9. G. CAVIEZEL ŠVI 1,29 10. F. DELLA VITE ITA 1,78 11. F. ZUBČIĆ HRV 1,85 12. R. WINDINGSTAD NOR 1,96
Žan Kranjec, chasing his first Vitranc podium, started second and overtook Loic Meillard by more than half a second, who opened the 62nd Vitranc Cup. But the world and Olympic giant slalom champion skied even faster behind the local matador Marco Odermatt. However, among the best seven giant slalomers, only Henrik Kristoffersen came close to Kranjac’s time – the Norwegian was only one hundredth of a second behind the Slovenian.
Four Slovenians at the start
Kranjec was tenth twice in Kranjska Gora last year, the closest he came to his first Vitra podium was in 2018 with fifth place. Stefan Hadalin will wear the number 44, Ange Gartner and Rok Ažnoh they will have the numbers 62 and 63. There are 65 competitors from 21 countries on the start list of the test.
The crystal globe will be officially presented
Last year, the Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen celebrated in both giant slaloms in Vitran. Odermatt will, in the absence of the Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who left Kranjska Gora, already at the Vitranc Cup, confirm his second big crystal globe in a row for the overall victory in the World Cup.
ALPINE SKIING – WORLD CUP (M)
KRANJSKA GORA, Saturday giant slalom
Start list (9.30/12.30):
1 L. MEILLARD ŠVI 2 Ž. KRANJEC SLO 3 M. ODERMATT ŠVI 4 M. SCHWARZ AVT 5 L. BRAATHEN NOR 6 H. KRISTOFFERSEN NOR 7 A. PINTURAULT FRA 8 G. CAVIEZEL ŠVI 9 F. DELLA VITE ITA 10 F. ZUBČIĆ HRV 11 R. RADAMUS ZDA 12 R. HAASER AVT 13 S. BRENNSTEINER AVT 14 R. WINDINGSTAD NOR 15 M. FELLER AVT 44 S. HADALIN SLO 62 A. GARTNER SLO 63 R. AŽNOH SLO
Source: Rtvslo
