ADELBODEN, Switzerland (AP) — Manuel Feller showcased his prowess on the slopes as he navigated the challenging conditions to secure the fastest time in the first run of the World Cup slalom event held in Adelboden on Saturday. The defending World Cup slalom champion, who triumphed in Adelboden the previous year, demonstrated his skill by finishing 0.25 seconds ahead of his closest competitor, Linus Strasser. Setting the stage for an exciting second run, 2022 Olympic champion Clément Noël followed closely behind in third place, with 0.38 seconds to make up.
The competition was characterized by steady snowfall, which added an additional element of difficulty for the athletes. Despite the deteriorating race surface due to the fresh snow, the top three fastest times were achieved by the early starters, with bib numbers 1 to 3. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, starting from bib number 19, put on a solid performance to secure the fifth position, trailing by 0.53 seconds. Representing Brazil but born in Norway, Braathen showcased his versatility on the challenging course.
The renowned Chuenisbaergli course proved to be unforgiving, leading to unexpected outcomes for some of the contenders from the elite group of racers. Atle Lie McGrath, a strong contender and the runner-up at Adelboden in the previous two seasons, faced disappointment as he skied out on the steep final slope when on track to record the fastest time. Meanwhile, the leader of the World Cup slalom standings, Loïc Meillard, a favorite among the home crowd, encountered a setback and failed to finish after straddling a gate midway through his run.
Among the Swiss racers, Daniel Yule stood out as the lone victor in the Adelboden slalom since 2007. Despite trailing by 1.38 seconds in the first run, Yule’s performance positioned him in the top 15 standings, representing the home nation with determination. Albert Popov, who recently secured Bulgaria’s first men’s victory in 45 years at Madonna Di Campiglio, faced a tougher challenge in Adelboden, finishing 2.16 seconds behind the leader, Feller.
The race schedule witnessed adjustments due to adverse weather conditions, with the slalom event originally slated for Sunday being brought forward to Saturday to mitigate risks related to weather and visibility. Consequently, the iconic Adelboden giant slalom, a fixture on the men’s World Cup circuit since its inception in January 1967, was rescheduled for the following day.
The thrilling competition in Adelboden showcased the resilience and skill of the world’s top slalom racers, setting the stage for an intense battle in the upcoming runs. For more updates and coverage on alpine skiing, visit AP skiing at https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing.
