SOELDEN, Austria (AP) — Norwegian skier Alexander Steen Olsen posted the fastest first-run time in the season-opening men’s World Cup giant slalom on Sunday after defending overall champion Marco Odermatt skied out.
Austrian great Marcel Hirscher, who came out of retirement after five years to start for the Netherlands, trailed Steen Olsen by 2.29 seconds in 28th position and the record eight-time overall champion just qualified for the final run later Sunday, in which only the top-30 finishers are allowed to start.
Former slalom World Cup winner Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who returned after one year off and a switch from the Norwegian to the Brazilian federation, started 41st and made the cut easily, finishing 19th.
Odermatt, who dominated the GS discipline last season by winning nine of the 10 races, started strong in perfect sunny conditions on the Rettenbach glacier and posted the fastest split times at the first two check points.
However, he later suddenly lost control over his left ski and slid off the course.
“For sure, we are all humans and mistakes can happen. I took the risk today that this could happen,” Odermatt said.
“I was very satisfied with my skiing. Until there, I really felt perfect, so that is what I take with me, not the mistake.”
Odermatt’s Swiss teammate Loic Meillard, who finished runner-up in the overall standings last season, didn’t start after hurting his back during a warmup shortly before the race.
Steen Olsen earned his lead by posting the fastest time in the final section, where he made up enough time to edge out Filip Zubcic of Croatia by 0.02 and Norwegian teammate Henrik Kristoffersen by 0.08 seconds, respectively.
Steen Olsen was after his third career podium, after winning a slalom in Palisades Tahoe, California, two season ago and finishing runner-up in a GS in Bansko, Bulgaria, in February.
Hirscher, wearing an orange-white race suit, had a consistent run with no major mistakes until getting to the bottom part, where he lost considerable time.
“It was pretty good until midway through the steep, after that, I got too late on my race line and nearly slid off the course,” Hirscher told Austrian TV.
“It was cool, it has worked out so well. About two seconds behind, that was also the case in training, so I’m really happy.” ___
Eric Willemsen on X: https://x.com/eWilmedia
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AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing
