The Norwegian skiers looked on top of their game at the Giant Slalom FIS Ski World Cup’s season opener recently. Competing in Soelden, the Norwegian athletes reigned supreme as they claimed all the top three spots, sweeping the podium in a historic affair. The star performer for Norway was Alexander Steen Olsen. Claiming the topmost position in the race, the victory marked the second of his Alpine Ski World Cup triumphs.
The 23-year-old Olsen won the Palisades Tahoe Slalom back in February 2023. He also boasts of a couple of all-in runs along with two Giant Slalom podium finishes including the one at Soelden. His recent victory was also special, as it made Olsen feature in the elite list of Norwegian skiers who have won the Soelden Giant Slalom before. And there are just two more—Lucas Braathen in 2020 and Aksel Lund Svindal in 2007.
Moving on, providing tough competition to his fellow countrymen, Henrik Kristoffersen and Atle Lie McGrath secured second and third places. Almost winning the top spot, Kristoffersen faltered at the fast end to lose by a tantalizing margin of +0.65 seconds. The 30-year-old had one of the best outings this time, having taken the podium on 34 different occasions in Giant Slalom competitions.
Previously, Kristoffersen participated in the Soelden tournament on nine occasions. His best result before 2024 was a third-place finish back in 2022. The 30-year-old also clinched three top-ten finishes in 2015 (sixth), 2016 (eighth), and 2020 (fifth). Lastly, for the third-placed McGrath, it was his 10th time standing on a Giant Slalom podium. At just 24, such high levels of success will surely do wonders for his career going forward.
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The post Despite Aleksander Kilde & Lucas Braathen’s Absence, Norwegian Skiers Shine At FIS Ski World Cup’s Season Opener appeared first on EssentiallySports.
