Alex Vinatzer greets Lucas Braathen in the finish area.
Vinatzer and the flax factory with Braathen
The men's giant slalom in Sölden has written many stories: There were the successful comebacks of Marcel Hirscher and Lucas Braathen or the Norwegian triple triumph. From a South Tyrolean perspective, Alex Vinatzer was also one of the winners of the day.
27 October 2024
From Sölden
From:
David Lechthaler
The Grödner has opening with 5th place has already followed up with action. Vinatzer wants to be in the top 7 of the World Cup rankings this year in both the slalom and the giant slalom. The first run yesterday was not ideal. But even then Vinatzer knew that with an intermediate position of 13 he could still do well. Up until the last intermediate time in the final Vinatzer was even ahead of Braathen, who conjured up a fabulous run in the snow.
In the end, the 25-year-old was 0,2 seconds behind the “Brazilian” with the fifth-best time. In the finish area, “Vinnie” was just as close to Braathen as he was. Vinatzer explained to SportNews: "I shouted to him: 'You devil, come back this year and clean me up.'"
Inseparable and absolute fan favorites: Atle Lie McGrath and Lucas Braathen. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI
Braathen, who was on the leaderboard at the time, also pointed his finger back at Vinatzer and had to laugh. The two seem to get on well. The young guard seems to be taking over in the Ski World Cup and is bringing a new, fresh style. The same goes for Alexander Steen Olsen or Atle Lie McGrath.
"I shouted at him: 'You devil, come back right away and clean me up.'" Alex Vinatzer about Lucas Braathen
Vinatzer certainly wants more and was still looking for faults in the second run: "I attacked, but I left a lot of mistakes on the way up the steep slope." That speaks for his ambition. Vinatzer seems to be in good shape physically - but also mentally - and has found the right mix of professionalism and the necessary relaxedness. With fifth place, Vinatzer equalled the best giant slalom result of his career.
Many Brazilian flags were seen in Sölden on Sunday – because of Lucas Braathen. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI
It was definitely a skiing festival that the 17.200 spectators saw in Sölden on Sunday in glorious weather. A total of 33.000 fans made the pilgrimage to the Rettenbachferner over the weekend – more than ever before. Everyone seems to be looking forward to the new season. Braathen and Atle Lie McGrath are particularly popular with the young fans. During their runs, it was in the finish area, alongside those of Marcel Hirscher, one of the loudest.
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