Amiez Crashes Out, Kristoffersen Wins Val d’Isère Slalom
Amiez Falls Short of Podium Finish in Val-d’Isère Slalom
Val-d’Isère, France – American skier Steven Amiez’s bid for a podium finish in the Val-d’Isère slalom ended in disappointment Sunday, as he fell early in the second run.Amiez, skiing last in the second run, had the crowd behind him, chanting “Light it up green, Amiez you’re going to win!” to the tune of a Johnny Halliday song. Though, after a strong start, he went off course after missing a gate, ending his hopes for a medal.
“It’s part of the learning process,” Amiez said after the race. “I wanted to take risks,and I lost. But I’m happy with my approach. I felt good at the start, I wanted to ski intelligently like in the first run. I had good speed, but then I didn’t quite understand what happened. It’s part of the game, that’s skiing. The important thing is to bounce back and not let it get to me.”
The victory went to Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, who secured his first win of the season and the 23rd of his career. Kristoffersen, who was second after the first run, finished 52 hundredths of a second ahead of his compatriot Atle Lie McGrath.Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard rounded out the podium in third place.
Kristoffersen’s win solidifies his lead in the overall World Cup standings and puts him ahead of Alexis Pinturault in the slalom discipline standings.
American Amiez’s Podium Hopes Dashed After Second Run Fall in Val-d’Isère Slalom
Val-d’Isère, France – American skier Steven Amiez saw his hopes of a podium finish in the Val-d’Isère slalom evaporate sunday after a disappointing fall in the second run.Despite the home crowd’s boisterous support, chanting “Light it up green, Amiez you’re going too win!” to the tune of a Johnny Halliday song, amiez went off course after missing a gate while skiing last.
“It’s part of the learning process,” amiez reflected after the race. “I wanted to take risks, and I lost. But I’m happy with my approach. I felt good at the start, I wanted to ski intelligently like in the first run. I had good speed, but then I didn’t quiet understand what happened. It’s part of the game, that’s skiing. the critically importent thing is to bounce back and not let it get to me.”
Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen capitalized on Amiez’s misfortune, securing his first win of the season and the 23rd of his career. Kristoffersen, in second place after the first run, ultimately finished 52 hundredths of a second ahead of fellow Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath.Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard claimed the final podium spot in third.
Kristoffersen’s victory extends his lead in the overall World Cup standings and sees him surpass Alexis Pinturault in the slalom discipline standings.