Was served: Henrik Kristoffersen. © ANSA / VASSIL DONEV

Outburst of anger at the finish: Henrik Kristoffersen is furious

The Bansko slalom provided story material for several races. Henrik Kristoffersen was also in the middle of it all, and he was at a loss when talking to the race director.

11. February 2024

From: det

It was a farce that took place on Sunday morning in Bansko played. The leader Clement Noel had obviously intervened; Wind, warm temperatures and rain created unbearable conditions; and finally the race was stopped after 31 runners.

“I didn’t see much,” said Daniel Yule in an interview with SRF. He alludes to the stars' fogged-up ski goggles: the reason for this was the warm temperatures and the rain. This fact was also ultimately the decisive factor in the race being stopped early. Security was no longer there.

“That’s bullshit!” Henrik kristoffersen

This infuriated Henrik Kristoffersen. When the race was stopped, the Norwegian was in third place and would have had a chance of a good result. Of course he would have preferred a race continuation, so he let off a lot of steam to FIS race director Markus Waldner: “That’s bullshit! Seriously. I’ve driven in conditions ten times worse.”

According to Kristoffersen, other athletes – who skied down after the crash – also confirmed that the slope was still good. “They said it was totally fine.” South Tyrolean Alex Vinatzer agreed: “We have already driven races with worse conditions. I would welcome it if the FIS also asked us athletes and not just canceled them.”

FIS race director Markus Waldner. © AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

Markus Waldner, FIS race director, defended himself in an interview with SRF. “The fogged-up glasses were the decisive factor in the demolition,” said the Brixen native. “Now the Norwegians come and say they all see well. They ask why I canceled the race. You can see how different the opinions are.” Waldner also emphasizes that the forecasts for the second run predicted even more extreme weather conditions.

Things continue for the slalom aces in North America: the next slalom is on the program in Palisades Tahoe (USA) in two weeks.