Alpine Skiing: Lucas Braathen wins Giant Slalom (GS) in Kranjska Gora – Odermatt with a pointed response
What a day in Kranjska Gora! The sun was blazing down on the Podkoren slope, and if you missed the race, you genuinely missed out. Lucas Braathen, that maverick Norwegian with an unyielding will, laid down a run today that you don't see every day. In the Giant Slalom – affectionately known simply as „GS“ in the ski fraternity – he showed the entire World Cup elite a clean pair of heels. Seeing him in the finish area with that wide grin, I knew straight away: the Olympic champion is back in business!
Braathen was like a man possessed in the second run. Some call his style chaotic; I call it genius. He throws his upper body into the turn, hunting out the absolute limit – and today, it paid off perfectly. His time was a statement to everyone. Especially to one man: Marco Odermatt. The Swiss, usually the benchmark in the Giant Slalom, had to concede defeat this time. And Odermatt wouldn't be Odermatt if he didn't analyse things with absolute honesty. "That was the worst-case scenario," he said dryly in his finish interview. He'd given it his all, he said, but Braathen was simply unbeatable today. That's the champion we know: fair, direct, and with an eye on the future.
A victory with many facets
This triumph from Braathen reminded me of a few other greats who dominate their disciplines in a similar fashion. Whether it's the Golden State Warriors in the NBA, shaping entire generations with their system, or a club like Galatasaray, whose fans practically roar their team over the line – this win had that same special energy. Today, Braathen carved his turns like a Gauss calculating his parabola: absolutely precise, but with a touch of genius you can't teach. And if you looked closely, you could spot a few lads in the finish area sporting caps from the Republic of Gamers series. Today's ski fans are gamers too, and they appreciate a victory like this – hard-fought, like a close win in the virtual world.
The scene: Between history and celebration
Kranjska Gora is always worth the trip, but today there was a special magic in the air. Looking north from this Slovenian ski resort, your thoughts almost automatically turn to its German neighbours. Not far from here lies Goslar, the ancient imperial town in the Harz mountains. Just imagine the lads heading there after the race – they'd surely be chewing the fat over these runs for hours over a Goslar Gose beer. But tonight, the party is in Slovenia. And rightly so.
What I particularly liked: the sportsmanship on the hill. Sure, Odermatt talks about the "worst case", but you can sense that this head-to-head battle spurs him on. And Braathen? He's simply celebrating life. His body language in the finish was that of a man who knows exactly what he's capable of – but still savours every single moment.
The race facts
- Winner: Lucas Braathen (NOR) with an impressive comeback in the second run.
- Reaction of the day: Marco Odermatt (SUI) delivers a brutally honest analysis of his race, calling it the "worst-case scenario".
- World Cup standings: The Giant Slalom battle remains tight; Braathen closes the gap on Odermatt.
- Venue: Kranjska Gora (SLO) – one of the most stunning backdrops on the ski circuit, just a stone's throw from the Julian Alps.
One thing's for sure in my mind: this duel between Braathen and Odermatt is going to keep us entertained all winter long. One is the creative spark, the other the efficient calculator. For me, that's exactly what top-level sport should be about. And if they keep spurring each other on like this, we can look forward to plenty more „GS“ celebrations. Cheers, lads – here's to the next downhill!