The youngest skier on the Norwegian national team, Alexander Steen Olsen (21), achieved his first World Cup win in his slalom career in the USA. Greece’s AJ Ginnis was a hundred leading at the end, but the latter tied a wicket on his way to the lead.
After a long jury meeting, the race directors chose to reward the Greek American with a fresh silver from the WC in France. Thus, the 21-year-old from Kjelsås scored a slightly sensational World Cup victory in his debut season among the world’s best alpine skiers.
The “rookie” of the Norwegian team was 12th after the first lap – 65 percent behind the then leader Clément Noel from France. In the second half, the Norwegian hit hard on the ice and got green time at the finish line. Teammate Timon Haugan of Oppdal secured Norway’s double victory.
Hogan originally drove the car to third, but with a tweak to Ginnis it was moved up to second. World Champion Henrik Kristofferson finished fifth in the American Palisades Tahoe Races.
– this is unbelievable. I do not know what to say. Quite brutal, Steen Olsen reacts instantly.
– What a slalom team, what a ski race! The achievements of Alexander and Timon show the quality of their skiing. Sander in his first season at the World Cup. It’s difficult to get your first victory – in very difficult conditions, sports director Klaus Risti reports to VG.
This is Norway’s 13th World Cup victory on the men’s side this season – now divided between four athletes: Sten Olsen, Alexander Aamodt Kelde, Lukas Brathen and Henrik Kristoffersen. In addition, the latter won WC gold (with Ginnis taking silver).
– I think it’s because we have a raw culture, raw athletes and good coaches who together know that hard work over time with experience brings results, Ryste comments.
Alpine expert Kjetil André Aamodt determined on the broadcast that Ginnis most likely passed the contested gate illegally. The snow made it difficult to draw immediate conclusions.
– said Amodt you can clearly see it – and the alpine climber of all time was, of course, absolutely right.
Steen Olsen’s best placement in a World Cup slalom prior to this race was eighth place – fourth place from the giant slalom at Schladming in January was the best record of his World Cup career. He is now the 21st Norwegian man in Alpine history to score a race victory there.
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