Loic Meillard Wins the Alpine Ski World Cup Giant Slalom in Schladming

Loic Meillard achieved an impressive victory at the Giant Slalom event of the Alpine Ski World Cup in Schladming. He finished 0.73 seconds ahead of the first-run leader, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. Alban Elezi Cannaferina claimed third place, finishing 0.90 seconds behind Meillard.

Meillard once again triumphed at the same venue where he celebrated his first Giant Slalom victory three years ago. The 29-year-old Swiss skier celebrated his ninth World Cup victory and his sixth in the Giant Slalom.

“It was a battle. The snow was hitting hard, and I tried to ski the direct line without overthinking it. I had to tell myself not to try to control it too much, but just ski. I feel most comfortable on icy slopes. That's where I ski best, where I feel comfortable. It worked again today. Things haven't always been easy in the Giant Slalom lately. So I knew the plan; the goal was to stick to it, and I did," Meillard said.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen achieved the 21st World Cup podium of his career, marking his 9th in Giant Slalom. Aside from the season opener in Soelden, where he DNF the first run, he has finished in the Top 10 in every Giant Slalom race this season. Notably, he has achieved three second-place finishes in his last three races in Alta Badia, Adelboden, and Schladming.

"Absolutely, I am extremely proud. It was an intense, highly challenging race. Together with my team and my fantastic technician, we adopt a holistic approach to address all types of snow conditions. I've got to admit I really, really thought that victory was mine today. I really felt I had it in me," Pinheiro Braathen said.

22-year-old French skier Alban Elezi Cannaferina celebrated his first World Cup podium finish after improving five places by setting the fastest time in the second run.

"It’s just amazing for me, what an experience. My first podium in Schladming. When it’s icy, you need to push hard, and this slope is the perfect one. In a night race, it’s a show, and I love it when it’s like this," Elezi Cannaferina said.

Marco Odermatt's fourth place today keeps him at the top of the Giant Slalom standings with 450 points and only two races left on the calendar: Kranjska Gora and the Finals in Lillehammer. Pinheiro Braathen is second with 347 points. Loic Meillard is now third with 326 points.