Swiss Skiers Dominate Men’s Giant Slalom at Val d’Isere

Switzerland’s alpine skiers showcased their dominance in the men’s World Cup giant slalom at Val d’Isere on December 13, 2023. Loic Meillard clinched victory, followed closely by teammates Luca Aerni in second and Marco Odermatt in third. This marked Meillard’s fifth giant slalom win in his career, highlighting a strong performance from the Swiss team.

Meillard started the day in fifth place after the first run but elevated his performance with a remarkable second leg. He finished with a time of 2 minutes, 01.32 seconds, securing his spot atop the podium. “It’s amazing,” Meillard stated on the International Ski and Snowboard Federation website. “Fourth place would have been pretty amazing today, a good step in the right direction. But to win directly, it’s simply perfect.”

The skier emphasized the hard work leading up to the event, mentioning the team’s focus on refining their techniques. “We’ve worked on a few small things in the end, nothing big — but just finding the right movement again, the flow, and today it worked,” he explained.

Aerni, achieving his first podium in giant slalom, also expressed pride in his performance. He has been diligently training for the past two seasons, which paid off in this competitive race. Meanwhile, Odermatt, the reigning Olympic giant slalom champion, faced a more challenging course this time. After winning two of the first three races this season, he struggled with consistency, finishing 0.33 seconds behind Meillard.

“With those two runs, I’m not actually happy with my skiing, but to end up on a podium with two friends on the top, that’s an amazing day,” said Odermatt, who is also a strong contender for multiple medals at the upcoming Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Stefan Brennsteiner from Austria led the first run but fell to fifth position after encountering difficulties in the second leg. The demanding La face de Bellevarde course presented a tough challenge, reflecting its reputation within the Alpine Ski World Cup circuit.

The Val d’Isere weekend continues with the men’s slalom scheduled for Sunday. Following this event, the World Cup tour will move to Val Gardena/Groden for a three-day stop beginning on December 18. The Swiss team’s impressive performance not only reinforces their status in the sport but also sets a thrilling stage for upcoming competitions.