Henrik Kristoffersen secured a remarkable victory at the Giant Slalom World Cup in Kranjska Gora, finishing ahead of his former teammate, Brazilian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, by 0.41 seconds. Marco Odermatt came in third place, 0.52 seconds behind.
It was Kristoffersen's 8th World Cup victory in the Giant slalom and finished on the podium 35 times. His victory takes Kristoffersen to 12th place in the all-time Men's Giant Slalom World Cup winners list, ahead of Pirmin Zurbriggen, Marc Girardelli, Phil Mahre, Massimiliano Blardone, Piero Gros, and Jean-Claude Killy, all of whom have seven wins.
Kristoffersen's last Alpine Ski World Cup victory in Giant Slalom came in Kranjska Gora when he won the two races held in March 2022. The Slovenian ski resort is a very special place for the Norwegian. He has achieved nine podiums in Giant Slalom at Kranjska Gora, four wins, two second places, and three third places.
Kristoffersen achieved 12 World Cup podiums in Kranjska Gora, including a Slalom win on 15 March 2015. Only Marcel Hirscher (15) claimed more top-three finishes in Kranjska Gora in the Men's World Cup.
"It is a hill where you can’t cheat yourself to a good result, you have to be a really good technical skier, and ski really good, and then you normally get the good result. That’s why I am good here a lot of times. It is always in the spring, so a lot of time the conditions are easier," Kristoffersen said.
"Great race, great conditions, also in the second run. Today my skiing was also good, that suits me better than when a race is only determined by the set-up," he added.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen was very happy with his fourth podium finish this season.
"February was a difficult month for me. I had problems with my technique and I had health problems. I'm fine again, but I'm not at 100 percent. But I'm here today because I've worked hard. I've regained my confidence in my ability," Pinheiro Braathen said.
Marco Odermatt struggled with his second run, in which he dropped from second to third place.
"A good race, not the best race, not the race I hoped for but for sure a podium is always good. The Norwegians showed again they are very tough to beat on those spring conditions," Odermatt said.
With two Giant Slalom races remaining on the calendar in Hafjell and Sun Valley, Marco Odermatt still leads the standings with 420 points, with Henrik Kristoffersen in second place with 379 points, trailing by 41 points.
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