Norwegian Skier Henrik Kristoffersen Wins World Cup Giant Slalom in Slovenia

Image credits: Giovanni Auletta - AP

Norwegian skier Henrik Kristoffersen has won his first World Cup giant slalom in three years, denying Lucas Pinheiro Braathen a chance to make history for Brazil in Alpine skiing. The event took place in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, where Kristoffersen finished a commanding 0.41 seconds ahead of Pinheiro Braathen. This victory marks Kristoffersen's eighth World Cup win in the discipline, with his last win being in March 2022 on the same Podkoren course.

Kristoffersen, the 2018 Olympic silver medalist and 2019 world champion, had a strong start, leading the race after the opening run. However, Pinheiro Braathen, who switched nations and now competes for Brazil, improved from seventh after the opening run and led the race with only Kristoffersen left to come down. Despite losing more than half of his advantage, Kristoffersen still managed to secure the top spot on the podium. Swiss star Marco Odermatt, who trailed Kristoffersen by 0.15 after the opening run, dropped to third, finishing 0.11 behind Pinheiro Braathen.

The competition saw several notable skiers in action, including Joan Verdu of Andorra, who finished ninth, and American River Radamus, who placed 12th after posting the second-fastest time in the final run. World champion Raphael Haaser finished seventh in his first race since winning gold on home snow in Saalbach-Hinterglemm two weeks ago. The Austrian men's team has not won any of the 34 World Cup races since Manuel Feller won a slalom in February 2024, matching its worst series of winless events in 1991-92. The Alpine skiing event showcased the skills of top skiers from around the world, with Kristoffersen and Odermatt being the only skiers to have won on the Podkoren course since 2019.

The results of the World Cup giant slalom are as follows:

• Henrik Kristoffersen (Norway) - 1st place
• Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (Brazil) - 2nd place
• Marco Odermatt (Switzerland) - 3rd place

The event highlighted the competition and skill of the participating skiers, with Kristoffersen's win being a significant milestone in his career. The World Cup giant slalom continues to be a premier event in the world of Alpine skiing, attracting top talent from around the globe.

The World Cup giant slalom schedule will continue with upcoming events, featuring the best skiers in the world. The current team rankings are:

1. Norway
2. Switzerland
3. Austria

The standings are subject to change as the season progresses, with several events still to come. The World Cup giant slalom remains a highly anticipated and competitive event, with skiers pushing themselves to be the best in the sport.

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