Odermatt cruises to first Giant Slalom victory at Beaver Creak

Marco Odermatt’s (SUI/Stöckli) returned to the top of the Giant Slalom standings after a flawless first run saw him claim victory by 0.23 seconds at Beaver Creek on Sunday.

Wearing the number one bib, Odermatt was the first athlete on the course, putting down an error-free first run to set a benchmark which no other athlete could match.

The closest to the Stöckli athlete at the halfway stage was Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA/Atomic), who was still 0.89 seconds behind the Swiss skier and would ultimately finish fifth.

Odermatt's second run was a far cry from his first, with a flurry of uncharacteristic errors as he moved over the tracks threatening to compound and put him out of contention, but as he so often does, the 28-year-old regathered his rhythm where it counted and crossed the line to the familiar sight of a green light.

The victory in a time of 2:20.59 brought to an end a uniquely poor run at Beaver Creek over the years for Odermatt, who on four previous Giant Slalom visits to the slope had recorded a trio of DNFs and a finish of 27th in 2018. Odermatt can now not only put that hoodoo behind him, but also capped off an impressive weekend at Beaver Creek this year, where he also won the Downhill and came fifth in the Super G.

"It's actually very special," said Odermatt, who is now tied at the top of the Super G standings with last week's winner, Stefan Brennsteiner (AUT/Fischer).

"I really wanted a podium or a victory here today in the Giant Slalom. My best place here was 27th, so I really had to improve that.

"It was a tough second run. It got bumpy and I really needed my advantage from the first run.

"Already winning the Downhill here was a big thing on my list, and also the Giant Slalom today was somehow missing on my portfolio so I'm super happy."

Alex Vinatzer (ITA/Atomic), who was tenth after the first run, finished in second place to record his first ever Giant Slalom podium, while Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR/Van Deer) came third.

When asked what it took to get that first Giant Slalom podium to go with his three Slalom podiums, Vinatzer said: "It took a lot of work, some tough moments as well. Last year there was a GS crisis in the middle of the season so I hope I won't repeat that again.

"I feel good at the moment, skiing is good. I tried to give everything I've got - even more on the second run. To make it on top it just feels amazing. I was always hoping to get a podium in both disciplines, and now to have it is great.

"As an athlete, once you get onto a podium you don't want to go back to the other spots, so I'll try to give everything I've got and push on in every race."

Vinatzer's rapid second run was the third fastest of the day, finding himself on the edge throughout an outing "with a lot of risk".

"Sometimes I didn't feel that comfortable any more but I tried to push all the way through and tried to make my skis run fast," he continued.

Kristoffersen, meanwhile, has now found himself on a Giant Slalom World Cup podium on four of the last five races, but lamented missing out on what would have been a victory in the United States for the first time in his career.

"I wish I could win on US soil," the Van Deer skier said.

"I've been second and third; a few podiums but I've never won on US soil. Without the mistake before Screech Owl on the second run it would have been close, but we didn't put enough pressure on in the first run.

"It was too far of a gap and then Marco can ski a little bit safer than we would like in the second run, then he doesn't make any big mistakes and he has enough space to go on.

"We need to put more pressure on in the first run and then maybe there will be a possibility."

Kristoffersen is now third on the overall standings - one place ahead of Vinatzer - after three races.