Podium in sight: Vinatzer delivers through thick and thin.

Alex Vinatzer is aiming for another top result at the Val-d'Isère World Cup. After the first run of the giant slalom, the skier from Wolkenstein is right in the thick of the battle for a podium finish.

13 December 2025

From: never

Alex Vinatzer seems to be feeling increasingly comfortable in giant slalom. After his phenomenal podium finish at the World Cup in Beaver Creek Vinatzer is eyeing the podium once again. After the first run in Val-d'Isère, he's in a strong sixth place (+0,73 seconds). The leader at the halfway point is Austrian Stefan Brennsteiner, who clocked the fastest time of 1:01.15, followed by the two Norwegians Henrik Kristoffersen (2nd/+0,28) and Timon Haugan (3rd/+0,33). Overall World Cup winner Marco Odermatt is also in the mix for the podium (4th/+0,46).

At the Stade Olympique de Bellevarde, the ski stars were greeted by perfect weather and ideal slope conditions – however, the interplay of light and shadow on the course presented the athletes with a particular challenge. While Brennsteiner and Henriksen, for example, lost considerable time transitioning into the shade, Vinatzer, among others, distinguished himself in this section. The 26-year-old was among the fastest in the field in both the third (5th) and fourth (4th) sectors.

A close exchange is brewing

Vinatzer also needs to keep an eye on the field behind him, as a showdown for the podium is brewing in the French Alps. Prominent competitors like Thomas Tumler (7th/+0,77), Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (8th/+0,80), and Alexis Pinturault (9th/+1,07) are close behind the South Tyrolean. The other Italians also have their sights set on the front: Luca de Aliprandini (12th/+1,35), Giovanni Borsotti (14th/+1,42), and Filippo della Vite (24th/+1,86) are all aiming for a comeback in the final stage.

The second run in Val-d'Isère starts at 13.00 p.m. Before that, the women's downhill race in St. Moritz is on the program.