A Frenchman makes Val-d'Isère dream

No Clément Noel, no party? No way! In the absence of the slalom artist, another Frenchman, Steven Amiez, catapulted himself into the limelight at the World Cup in Val-d'Isère - and is surprisingly in the lead after the first run.

15 December 2024

From: never

For a few minutes, Henrik Kristoffersen looked like the dominant number one in the French Alps, but in the end the Norwegian had to give up his place. Steven Amiez went one better and took 0,32 seconds off the two-time world champion - and gave the French audience hope of an unexpected home victory.

After his serious fall in the giant slalom On Saturday, Clément Noel, who had won the first two slalom races of the season, decided against starting in his living room. Amiez filled the gap a day later in snowfall and difficult piste conditions with a brilliant run that, thanks to the right amount of risk, was enough to take the half-time lead.

Steven Amiez showed his best side. © APA/afp / JEFF PACHOUD

Behind Amiez, in addition to Kristoffersen, the Austrian Manuel Feller (3rd/0,66 seconds) and the Norwegian duo Timon Haugan (4th/+0,82) and Atle Lie McGrath (5th/+0,83) are waiting for their golden chance.

Vinatzer starts to catch up – Schwarz with comeback

South Tyrolean Alex Vinatzer was a little further back. The 25-year-old tackled the challenging slope of Val-d'Isère with a fair amount of aggression as usual. In the end, he finished in 17th place (+2,05). Given the gap between his direct competitors, a place in the top 10 is certainly within the realm of possibility.

In his pursuit to catch up, Vinatzer will also have to contend with Marco Schwarz, who fared a little better in his comeback after a cruciate ligament tear and a break of almost a year. The Austrian is in 1,73th place, 10 seconds behind.

Marco Schwarz celebrated his return to the World Cup. © APA/afp / JEFF PACHOUD

“I was already nervous in the starting house, but with so much adrenaline, things quickly get going,” he explained in an interview with ORF"The conditions on the slopes were difficult, but my body feels very good, so I'm happy. Of course, I need a few more days of training to be able to compete at the front again."

The starting signal for the second round will be given at 13.00:XNUMX p.m.