Meillard shines in the Schladming night race for GS victory

Loic Meillard (SUI/Rossignol) collected his second Giant Slalom win of the season and moved into third in the Crystal Globe standings with victory under the Schladming night sky in the Audi FIS Ski World Cup.

Meillard’s 2:14.38 saw him slide just ahead of Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA/Atomic) into top spot, with Alban Elezi Cannaferina (FRA/Rossignol) getting his first ever World Cup podium finish in third.

Loic's Schladming Starring Role

There’s nothing quite like a Schladming night race. A mixture of the bright lights, the moonlight and the 15,000 in attendance all contribute, but ultimately only one thing can secure the memories: enthralling action. And as ever, the giant slalom delivered.

Crystal Globe leader Marco Odermatt (SUI/Stöckli) came into this one with an imposing 95-point lead in the GS, and all the momentum was with him after giant slalom victory last time out in Adelboden.

He had the work to do after run one though, 1:09.15 leaving him 7^th and almost a second behind Pinheiro Braathen. Braathen’s 1:08.21 amidst icy conditions put him ahead of Loic Meillard and Fabian Gratz (GER/Fischer), the German jubilant as he flipped his strong seasonal second run form into his first run this time around.

Run two saw Odermatt experience a less-than-ideal path, somehow maintaining balance after his right ski left the surface early on to cross for an eventual 2:15.64. That had him second behind a resurgent Alban Elezi Cannaferina with five remaining.

Meillard's magic and a familiar podium feeling for Pinheiro Braathen

Gratz – aiming for a first World Cup podium – saw things unravel in his second run to cut short his hopes, with Meillard coming after and keeping his cool to move into top spot thanks to a 1:06.11. Only Pinheiro Braathen remained, but he wasn’t able to maintain the lead and the duo saw their run one positions switch as Meillard’s 2:14.38 claimed victory by 0.73, Elezi Cannaferina getting a maiden podium in third.

Reflecting on a second GS World Cup win of the season and his sixth overall, Meillard admitted: “I pushed hard, I had no regrets for my run. Okay I had a mistake but it’s part of the game. I did the job."

Pinheiro Braathen continued his record of finishing within the top 10 every time he has finished a GS this season, making it a hat-trick of second placed finishes of his 2025/26.

"Of course I am very, very proud. It was one hell of a race and extremely challenging. Together with my team and my amazing technician, we focus on such a holistic approach to focus on all sort of snow conditions."

But despite this, for Pinheiro Braathen it was a case of what if as he reflects on the Slalom to come. "I've got to admit I really, really thought that victory was mine today. I really felt I had it in me. I'll take the experience and the feel of the snow we got today and put it into our action plan. We'll have to find that level of intensity that is needed."

Even among the tough feelings of being pipped to the top though, the Brazilian was full of nothing but pride for the Schladming support. "It's impossible in Schladming not to feel the amazing crowd. I'm just stunned by being able to travel to these classic races and see Brazilian flags all over the place in between the Austrian flags. I know that Brazil was watching today."

Alban reaches first podium

While it was Meillard and Pinheiro Braathen who took the top two, France’s Elezi Cannaferina will rightfully be spoken about after securing a first ever World Cup podium from bib 25. Not only was it his first podium, it was his first top 10 finish too.

“It’s just amazing for me, what an experience. My first podium in Schladming, I was here with a lot of supporters...I hope I will be at the Olympics. We will see after tomorrow's slalom.

In the race to the GS Crystal Globe…

Third in the standings heading into Schladming, Henrik Kristofferson (NOR/Van Deer) struggled for form in this GS, his 18th placed finish a contrast to second on the same course in 2024/25. That third spot has been taken by Meillard with 326, while Pinheiro Braathen maintains second with 347. Odermatt’s 50 points continues to keep him atop the standings with a 450.

Check out the full results from the men’s GS in Schladming here, with the latest season standings in the race for the GS Crystal Globe here.

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