World Cup expert group: Florian Eisath predicts the giant slalom

The 34-year-old from Eggental turned his back on skiing last summer and only follows the spectacle surrounding the top stars on two “battens” from the sidelines. With his World Cup participation in 2015 in Vail/Beaver Creek and 2017 in St. Moritz, his Olympic start last year and a wealth of experience from 113 World Cup races, he is still an absolute expert on the scene.

Florian Eisath about... … favorites and secret favorites in the men’s giant slalom: “If you want to win, you have to beat Marcel Hirscher, it's that simple. But that seems almost impossible to me in this discipline at the moment. The closest I have on the list are Saalbach winner Zan Kranjec and combination world champion Alexis Pinturault, who will certainly go into the race with a big chest. Stefan Luitz is also an insider tip.”

… the chances of the South Tyroleans: “I think it’s presumptuous to talk about real medal ambitions. They enter the race as clear outsiders. However, I don't think Riccardo Tonetti could be a surprise, as the soft slopes in Åre certainly play into his hands. If he finally has the necessary bit of luck, he can be at the front.”

…his best World Cup experience: “I had it in Vail in 2015 without a doubt. At that time I gained a lead of around one and a half seconds in the second round and was then in the lead for a long time. I sat in the leader's corner the whole time and just enjoyed the bright sun. That was a very special moment, also because in the end I was able to record my best World Cup result in eighth place.”

…the difficulties of a World Cup race: “The big difference to everyday World Cup life is the great attention and enormous media hype during such a major event. It's not always easy to stay fully focused. An example: When Italy's medal haul was poor some time ago, journalists kept asking us the same critical questions in the second week of the World Cup. At first you stay cool, but at some point you automatically start to worry. And then switching that off on race day is extremely difficult.”

… his winning tip: “In this case I am conservative and play it safe: Marcel Hirscher.” (laughs)

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World Cup expert group: Florian Eisath predicts the giant slalom

In our World Cup section, former or injured South Tyrolean ski aces give their tips on the respective star discipline. We spoke to Florian Eisath about today's men's giant slalom (14.15:17.45 p.m./XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.).

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