Atle Lie McGrath masterfully won the Wengen slalom. The Norwegian, already in the lead at the end of the first round, was ahead of Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (+0″47). Second after the first course, Loïc Meillard for his part fell two places to finish at the foot of the podium. Finally, note the superb comeback of Matthias Iten. Twenty-third after the first round, the Zougois finished 6th and thus signs his best career result.
Meillard only set the 17th time on the second route, insufficient to get on the box. The skier from Hérémence finally conceded 0”49 to Kristoffersen, who won the 100th podium of his career in the World Cup.
Winner of the Alta Badia slalom on December 22, McGrath is definitely at ease in Wengen, where he already won last year. The Norwegian signed the 5th victory of his career on the White Circus in style.
The rise of Itten
The great story in the Swiss camp came from Iten. Starting with bib 44, he first qualified without trembling (23rd) before jumping 17 places by setting the best time in the second round.
Leader of the slalom World Cup, Frenchman Paco Rassat lost valuable points in the race for the globe by straddling the second route. He gives up the red bib to McGrath, who is 21 points ahead of Pinheiro Braathen. Meillard is 8th at 140 points.
ats/pc