– Of course it means a lot. Now I am world champion in giant slalom and slalom. There are some who are, but not that many. Now I’m the fourth best of all time, it’s pretty cool, says Henrik Kristoffersen to TV 3. There were some bad words from Henrik Kristoffersen in the goal area after the first half. The 28-year-old has an impressive 23 World Cup victories in slalom, but has never won slalom gold in the Olympics or the World Cup. That’s why the frustration was great when the board turned red, 16th place and 91 hundredths behind leader Manuel Feller after the first lap. Dad Lars Kristoffersen announced to TV 3 a “kamikaze” entrance to the final round, and with new skis Kristoffersen went to work aggressively. After a little trouble at the start, the 28-year-old really picked up steam and took the lead in the race. Runner after runner finished behind the Norwegian, who slowly but surely began to realize that there were suddenly medal opportunities. – It was worse to sit and wait than to lead. Tipper Tonje (Barkenes, girlfriend) is quite happy. I didn’t think it would last, I thought I made too many mistakes, says Kristoffersen. When Feller also failed to chastise Kristoffersen, he could celebrate his first gold in a major championship. The roar could be heard over the entire plain surrounded by the French Alps. – Henrik has never won gold in slalom, but has been superior in the discipline. I think it was long overdue. We saw on the TV pictures that it meant a lot, says news’s alpine expert, Nina Løseth. AJ Ginnis of Greece took the silver ahead of Alex Vinatzer. NERVOUS: Kristoffersen had to wait a long time in the goal area. Photo: JEFF PACHOUD / AFP Newly operated Braathen close to medal 17 days ago, Lucas Braathen (22) put the knife down. The appendix had to be removed. Slightly frailer and with a few stitches in the stomach region, the 22-year-old was finally back on the starting line during the WC slalom. After the first round, he was only 13 hundredths behind leader Manuel Feller, and in the final round he threw himself out with gold as his goal. He started extremely well, but in the last part of the course there were some mistakes which caused Braathen to fall off the podium. He eventually finished in 7th place. – It is difficult to swallow. I have done so much to make this day mine. I was leaning towards it until the last section today. I am very proud of the effort I made and the intensity I went for there. It was the only choice I had with such good driving by Henrik, says Braathen to news. – It is a shame for Lucas that he makes such a serious mistake. He was on his way to gold, says Løseth. MISSED MEDAL: Lucas Braathen. Photo: Marco Trovati / AP German with a challenging course Even before the start of the final round, the course that German Bernd Brunner had ridden was notorious. The turns put extreme demands on the alpinist’s technical skills, and really separated the wheat from the wheat. – You may never have seen a track that swings so much, said TV 3’s commentator Marius Arnesen. – It’s a really sick track, it demands everything from the runners, added Andreas Toft. It was like a glove for Kristoffersen. – We already saw after the inspection that Henrik’s self-confidence had changed. He saw that the golden hope was still alive, that the course was set for him and not the German runners. He loves tracks like this, where he can shine and use his technique. He hit really well, says Løseth. Kristoffersen tells TV 3 that he had a good laugh at Brunner’s trail running. – During my 24 years as a skier, I have not seen more traversed turns than in the first six gates, he says. World champions in slalom last 20 years 2021: Sebastian Foss Solevåg 2019: Marcel Hirscher 2017: Marcel Hirscher 2015: Jean-Baptiste Grange 2013: Marcel Hirscher 2011: Jean-Baptiste Grange 2009: Manfred Pranger 2007: Mario Matt 2005: Benjamin Raich 2003: Ivica Kostelic Failed to defend the gold Throughout alpine history, only Rudolf Rominger (1938, 1939), Ingemar Stenmark (1978, 1980, 1982) and Marcel Hirscher (2017, 2019) have managed to defend a WC gold medal in slalom. NOT NEW GOLD: Sebastian Foss Solevåg. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB World champion from 2021 Sebastian Foss Solevåg fought to enroll in this exclusive club, and had a usable starting point with a 5th place after the first round. However, Ålesunderen struggled a bit in the final round and fell on the results lists. Foss Solevåg finished in 19th place. – I try everything I can. Can’t do anything better. It didn’t work today. I have to accept that, he says to news. Alexander Steen Olsen is known for delivering huge final rounds, but in the WC there was too much of a mess. He finished in 22nd place.
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Achievement by Kristoffersen – from 16th place to a sensational gold medal – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
