Alex Vinatzer's World Cup fairy tale

It was a tough slalom final. Especially for Alex Vinatzer. After the first run, the man from Val Gardena was in 6th place, close to the podium. But even then the 23-year-old seemed cool. “Now I'm chilling for a bit, then I'll greet my mom and my girlfriend,” he said after the first run in the mixed zone.

The decision was made at 13.30:0,38 p.m. Vinatzer drove strongly from the start, found a good rhythm and was faster in the first intermediate times than Henrik Kristoffersen, who had been leading until then. However, the Norwegian drove the final part so brilliantly that Vinatzer crossed the finish line XNUMX seconds behind. Because there were still five runners up there, a medal seemed to be a difficult task. But little by little the runners bit their teeth, only the Greek AJ Ginnis squeezed between Vinatzer and Kristoffersen.

Alex Vinatzer could hardly believe his luck. © ANSA / GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO

When the half-time leader Manuel Feller went onto the slopes, it was a real thrill for Vinatzer and his fans. But the Austrian made a mistake and when he crossed the finish line far behind, there was no stopping the man from Val Gardena. He has World Cup bronze in his pocket!

A satisfaction after a complicated season This is a special satisfaction for Alex Vinatzer, because it hasn't always been easy for him this season. After switching brands from Nordica to Atomic, he struggled to get up to speed. He didn't finish in the first three slaloms of the season, then he took 4th place in Adelboden before light and shadow alternated again. But now all the effort has paid off.

Vinatzer also erased the biggest disappointment of his career so far with bronze at the World Championships. In 2021 he was in second place at halftime in the World Cup slalom in Cortina d'Ampezzo, but in the decision he fell back to the most thankless of all World Cup positions, namely fourth place. This time the hundredth of luck was on Vinatzer's side, because Fourth place Clement Noel was just 4 seconds behind him.

In the footsteps of Manfred Mölgg Vinatzer won South Tyrol's first World Cup medal since 2019. Back then, “Vinnie” was also involved when he won bronze in the team event. At that World Cup, Dominik Paris also won South Tyrol's last individual medal in the Super-G (gold). For Italy's slalom team, it was the first medal since 2011. Manfred Mölgg also won bronze in Garmisch-Partenkirchen 12 years ago. By the way: Mölgg had something to look forward to this Sunday too: Michael, Manni's brother, has been Alex Vinatzer's service man since this season.

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Alex Vinatzer's World Cup fairy tale

It wasn't an easy season for Alex Vinatzer, but now he has delivered in the most important race of the winter and won World Championship bronze.

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