Germany’s Strasser wins last slalom before Beijing Olympics

Advertisement

Advertise with us

SCHLADMING, Austria (AP) — Six World Cup races. Six different winners. It’s anyone’s guess who will win the men’s slalom at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.75/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/01/2022 (1347 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SCHLADMING, Austria (AP) — Six World Cup races. Six different winners. It’s anyone’s guess who will win the men’s slalom at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Germany’s Linus Strasser won the final slalom before the Beijing Games on Tuesday, moving up from fifth after the opening leg to finish a slim 0.03 seconds ahead of Atle Lie McGrath of Norway in the prestigious event under the lights labeled “The Night Race.”

The other slalom winners this season were: Clément Noël, Sebastian Foss-Solevåg, Johannes Strolz, Lucas Braathen and Dave Ryding.

Norway's Lucas Braathen speeds down the course during the first run of an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Schladming, Austria, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Norway's Lucas Braathen speeds down the course during the first run of an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Schladming, Austria, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

“It’s super cool,” Strasser said. “I think out of the top 30 there are 15-20 guys who can always win and surprise. … It’s just good for the sport.”

Manuel Feller of Austria made a huge jump from 28th in the first leg to place third, 0.39 behind, after sitting out the slalom in Kitzbühel over the weekend because he was positive with COVID-19.

Feller had the fastest second run.

First-run leader Kristoffer Jakobsen went out three gates into his second trip down the steep Planai course. Likewise, Giuliano Razzoli, who stood second, straddled a gate midway down.

It’s the third win of Strasser’s career in nearly 100 World Cup races. He also won a slalom in Zagreb, Croatia, a year ago, and a city event in Stockholm five years ago.

While there were still four racers to go, Strasser immediately sensed he had done something special, holding up a finger in the No. 1 position after he crossed the line.

For McGrath, who had the No. 34 bib, it marked a return to form following a season-ending injury in Adelboden, Switzerland, last January — and his first podium result in slalom.

Germany's Linus Strasser speeds down the course during the first run of an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Schladming, Austria, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Germany's Linus Strasser speeds down the course during the first run of an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Schladming, Austria, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

When Razzoli straddled and McGrath realized he had reached the podium, he knelt down and started crying.

“It’s probably the first time in my life I couldn’t stop crying,” McGrath said. “I will never forget this moment.”

Henrik Kristoffersen, the Norwegian who shares the record of four wins in Schladming with retired Austrian great Benjamin Raich, finished fourth, while Alex Vinatzer of Italy came fifth.

Ben Ritchie, the reigning junior world champion, was the top American in 23rd with the No. 44 bib for the first World Cup points of his career.

“It’s nice to get some points under my belt and pick up a little momentum. But now that slalom January is over, I have to wait for a little while,” said Ritchie, who did not qualify for the U.S. ski team’s six-man Olympic squad.

Alexis Pinturault, the defending overall World Cup champion, went out midway through his first run.

Ryding finished 20th three days after he won in Kitzbühel to become the first British winner in the 55-year history of the World Cup.

Austria's Manuel Feller looks up after finishing third in a alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Schladming, Austria, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Austria's Manuel Feller looks up after finishing third in a alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, in Schladming, Austria, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

The Olympics open Feb. 4 and the slalom on Feb. 16 is the last individual event for men.

___

More AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/skiing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Report Error Submit a Tip

Olympics

LOAD MORE