Henrik Kristoffersen earned his first giant slalom victory of the season in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, with a remarkable second run, finishing ahead of Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and Marco Odermatt. His performance has brought him closer to the top of the giant slalom standings, despite Odermatt leading the overall World Cup standings as the season progresses.
Henrik Kristoffersen delivered an outstanding performance in Slovenia, securing his first giant slalom victory of the season with an impeccable second run in Kranjska Gora. Initially leading after the first run, He faced stiff competition from Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, a former Norwegian skier representing Brazil, who made an impressive climb from seventh to first during his second run, putting pressure on Kristoffersen.
As the skiers took their turns, Kristoffersen showcased his determination and skill, ultimately achieving a combined time of 2 minutes and 18.18 seconds, finishing 0.41 seconds ahead of Pinheiro Braathen and 0.52 seconds ahead of Marco Odermatt in third place. Despite the late challenges from others, Kristoffersen remained composed and did not allow Brazil to secure their first-ever World Cup victory.
Speaking after his win, Kristoffersen stated, “This means a lot, it was a really nice race, almost better on the second run.” This victory marked his 32nd overall win in the World Cup circuit, out of which eight were in giant slalom events.
In the standings for the giant slalom, Kristoffersen has narrowed the gap to Odermatt, accumulating 41 points fewer than the leading competitor, with two races remaining in the series. However, Odermatt continues to hold a strong position in the overall World Cup standings following his recent success in super-G at the world championships, with ten races still to be contested this season.
In summary, Henrik Kristoffersen’s impressive performance in Slovenia not only secured him his first giant slalom win of the season but also brought him closer to the top of the giant slalom standings. With his unwavering focus and skill, he successfully fended off substantial competition, including a formidable challenge from Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. Moving forward, the battle for World Cup supremacy remains intense as Kristoffersen continues to close the gap on Marco Odermatt.
Original Source: www.france24.com
