Kastlunger also beams with Pinturault: “Simply great!”

On Tuesday afternoon there was a man in demand in Courchevel: Alexis Pinturault. The 31-year-old comes from the World Cup venue and is de facto on his own doorstep the gold medal in the combination secured. Countless acquaintances, friends and family kept their fingers crossed at the finish. “It was a very special atmosphere. I've never experienced anything like that before," said the gold medalist at the end of an hour-long interview marathon.

While Pinturault patiently answered journalists' questions and then left for Méribel to receive the medals, some of his family members went back to work. They run the five-star Hotel Annapurna, one of the most upscale addresses in Courchevel. “My father built two hotels here and he was also involved in accommodating athletes and journalists,” says Pinturault, who continues: “So I saw the preparations for this World Cup first hand. Now I’m just happy to have brought joy to all the people, the residents of Courchevel and many French people.” “It was a very special atmosphere.” Alexis Pinturault It wasn't clear until the day before the start of the World Cup whether Pinturault would even be at the start of the station wagon. “I was sick for several days and only decided to take part in the race on Monday. And it was the best decision I could have made,” beamed Pinturault in the media room.

Alexis Pinturault's first well-wisher was his wife Romane Faraut. © ANSA / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

There was one who had a similar big grin on his face after the race Tobias Kastlunger. The 23-year-old from Enneberger, who has only scored World Cup points once in his career, immediately raced to seventh place in his World Cup debut. “That’s just amazing!” is how Kastlunger opened the conversation SportNews in the target area. “I was happy to be here at all. The fact that such a result is achieved exceeds all my expectations,” continues Kastlunger.

The South Tyrolean will now travel to Sestriere, do some training there and then return to Courchevel after two European Cup slaloms in Switzerland. There he will be in action in the final World Cup slalom on February 19th. “I gave myself a small advantage for the slalom because I was able to get to know the slopes and try things out a bit. But it will start from scratch again, it will be a completely new race. As I had already emphasized in advance, it is simply important to me to soak it all up and enjoy it. I had fun today, I hope it will be the same next week.”

In addition to Pinturault and Kastlunger, two Austrians also had fun in Courchevel on Tuesday. One was Raphael Haaser, the 24 hours after the Bronze ride from his sister Riccarda also took third place. “I didn’t see Riccarda’s race because I was at Super-G training, but my sister’s medal gave me another huge push today,” said the North Tyrolean.

Haaser's compatriot, on the other hand, was happy about silver Marco Schwarz, although he had to give up his station wagon throne for Pinturault. “After the title in Cortina, this is another great experience for me. But I'm also happy for Alexis, he's a great sportsman. “He deserves this moment,” said Schwarz.

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Kastlunger also beams with Pinturault: “Simply great!”

The first medal decision for the men took place in Courchevel on Tuesday. And it unleashed great emotions – not just for the world champion and local hero.

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