Johan Verdu achieved a sensational podium finish. © ANSA / Guillaume Horcajuelo

A sensationalist steals the show in Val-d'Isère

Finally: After weeks of waiting, the first men's giant slalom of the season took place on Saturday. And he had a big surprise in store.

09 December 2023

From: det

Several special stories took place in the giant slalom in Val-d'Isère. There was Marco Odermatt, who delighted the fans in the French winter sports resort and took victory with a lead of almost a second despite a not entirely clean second run. The Swiss thereby underlined that he is the undisputed top star in giant slalom. But there is also Alex Vinatzer, who made a big statement on Saturday and achieved his best giant slalom result of his career with 14th place.

But all of this is outshone by one personality: Joan Verdu, a ski racer from the small principality of Andorra, raced onto the podium for the first time in his career on Saturday and came third. The 28-year-old was already in a strong fifth place in the first round to go one step further in the decision and create a sensation. For the first time in the history of the Ski World Cup, a man from Andorra is in the top 3 of the World Cup!

The podium: winner Odermatt (middle), second place Schwarz (left) and Verdu. © APA/afp / JEFF PACHOUD

And that despite the fact that Verdu only suffered a torn thigh at the end of October and had to take a break for several weeks. But the race in Val-d'Isère was over - and Verdu amazed everyone. “An incredible feeling,” he told ORF. The Andorran achieved his best placement so far in Alta Badia, where he came twelfth twice last year.

Alex Vinatzer provides a big exclamation point

Marco Schwarz took second place ahead of Verdu, while the victory went to Odermatt. Alex Vinatzer, who, as already mentioned, achieved his best giant slalom result, also felt like he was the winner on Saturday. After the first run, still in 25th place, “Vinni” presented himself as aggressive and courageous in the decision, he let the skis run and was rewarded with 14th place in the end. The second-best running time in the second round shows how strong Vinatzer was.

Did the best giant slalom race of his career: Alex Vinatzer. © ANSA / Guillaume Horcajuelo

The man from Val Gardena is actually a slalom specialist. But for a year and a half, Vinatzer has also been concentrating more on giant slalom and wants to become one of the world's best there. In any case, he made a big statement on Saturday, also because the 24-year-old was the best Azzurro.

The racing weekend in Val-d'Isère ends on Sunday with a slalom. It starts at 9.30:12.30 a.m., the decision will be made at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.