LA VILLA, Italy — (AP) — Lucas Braten may just be the type of personality skiing needs to join Marco Odermatt in the younger generation taking over the sport.
The 22-year-old Norwegian of a Brazilian mother has a taste for fashion — he sells a line of jewelry — to win one of the biggest giant slalom races of the World Cup season in Alta Badia. So I showed off my skills on the slopes. on sunday.
It was Braaten’s second win in a row after winning the slalom at Val d’Isere, France last weekend.
“Winning is like a drug, you just need more,” said Braasen. “So I just did everything I could to recapture that experience, and what a privilege it is to be able to feel it again already.”
Blasen moved up from third place after his opening run to finish 0.02 seconds ahead of Norwegian team-mate Henrik Kristoffersen at the Gran Lisa course.
Olympic champion, World Cup overall champion and current overall standings leader Odermatt recovered from a disappointing ninth place in the opening leg to take third place, 0.10 behind.
When it was over, Braathen looked like a prize fighter as he unleashed a series of fist pumps to celebrate. Except for the fingers, it revealed that the nails were painted black.
Kristoffersen and former overall champion Alexis Pinturault are the only two active male skiers to have won a slalom and giant slalom World Cup race in the same season.
“It’s unbelievable. Growing up watching the Alta Badia as a kid is one of my favorites. Definitely the coolest giant slalom slope in the world,” said Braathen. “I can’t believe I won here. I can’t believe it. I will always remember this day.”
It was Brasen’s fourth win of his career. His first appearance was in the season-opening giant slalom held in Solden, Austria two years before his season. However, a serious knee injury set him back later that season, forcing him to miss the 2021 World Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Braassen is now on track, establishing himself as a medal threat at the season’s two races in Courchevel and Méribel, France in February.
Having won the first two giant slaloms of the season, Odermatt extended his lead in the overall standings to 171 points over Alexander Armot Kilde, who failed to complete his first run.
Braathen moves up to third overall, 381 points behind Odermatt.
Panturou finished in 4th place, while first-time leader Zhan Clanjek finished in 5th place.
The surprise of the day belonged to Andorran skier Joan Verdout. He finished his career-best 12th on the fastest second run.
America’s top GS skiers River Radamas and Tommy Ford both ran into trouble on their first run.
Radames, who finished 4th at the Beijing Olympics, hit his left hip in the upper section and did not finish the race. Ford also lost control and had to check his skis to make the next gate, eventually passing nearly five seconds behind.
Another GS is scheduled for Monday at Gran Lisa.
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