Wild slide in Schladming: Vinatzer falls

It was the last giant slalom before the Olympics – and at the same time an icy dance! At the Nightrace in Schladming on Tuesday, the world's best skiers delivered a thrilling race on a mirror-smooth slope, which proved disastrous for many top stars.

27 January 2026

From: fop

Even after the first run, Henrik Kristoffersen had been furious at the end of his botched run: "It's like driving on ice with summer tires." The conditions on the Planai weren't unfair, but they were certainly borderline and extremely demanding. Swiss skier Loic Meillard coped best with the icy snow and snatched the victory.

Numerous top athletes, including Marco Odermatt and Alex Vinatzer, showed significant problems in the second run. Despite a major mistake, the versatile Swiss skier still managed to finish fourth, within reach of the podium, while Vinatzer was relegated to a lower position.

Even Marco Odermatt struggled immensely on the icy slope. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

The 26-year-old from Val Gardena had entered the final round in fifth place, but misjudged a wave and crashed headfirst into the next gate. Vinatzer skillfully managed to stay on course, but his time was lost. He ultimately finished in 23rd place. The second South Tyrolean, Tobias Kastlunger, finished 40th and did not qualify for the final round.

Meillard remains cool, a Frenchman surprises

Giovanni Borsotti fared better than Vinatzer and Kastlunger, maintaining his ninth place from the first run and thus finishing as the best Italian. However, he too was unable to challenge for the top three positions. This battle was dominated for a long time by the French surprise performer Alban Elezi Cannaferina, who ultimately had to concede only to Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and Meillard.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, Loic Meillard, and Alban Elezi Cannaferina shared the podium. © APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU / ERWIN SCHERIAU

The Swiss skier coped best with the difficult conditions, pushing the leader at the halfway point, Braathen, into second place and preventing him from securing Brazil's first giant slalom victory. For Meillard, it was his second win of the season in this discipline and his ninth World Cup victory overall. He certainly deserved the applause of the nearly 20.000 fans in the finish area!

The next nighttime spectacle continues in Schladming on Wednesday. Vinatzer and his teammates will then compete in the slalom. SportNews Live ticker from 5:45 pm or 8:45 pm.