As many as seven Norwegians were part of the final round during the giant slalom race in Sölden. But despite a day with several good Norwegian performances, no one was going to go all the way to the top. Marco Odermatt won the World Cup opener, 76 hundredths ahead of Zan Kranjec from Slovenia. Henrik Kristoffersen became Norway’s best man in third place. Kristoffersen was delighted after the podium. He has historically struggled in Sölden. – Big day. It was especially the last 48 hours with everything that has happened, says Kristoffersen. Kristoffersen is clearly affected and used the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz – who passed away on Saturday aged 78. IN ACTION: Henrik Kristoffersen. Photo: JOE KLAMAR / AFP – I am one hundred percent sure both from Marco (Odermatt) and for my part that …, says Kristoffersen who is unable to continue. – Did it affect you today? – When you race, you have to focus on what you have to do anyway. It is very special as he has done so much for the sport and athletes. It is an incredible person who has passed away, he replies. Kudos to the team effort Kristoffersen was in the lead for a period after finishing sixth in the final round, but fell two places. Lucas Braathen is number four after driving out as the second system man. Lucas Braathen Photo: LEONHARD FOEGER / Reuters – It’s no fun coming fourth, but ultimately I’m proud of the work I did today, Braathen told news. Rasmus Windingstad also impressed in the final round. Bæringen was in 12th place after the first round, but moved up to fifth place. – It was incredibly nice for them to get off to such a good start. So, Sölden is becoming a favourite. It was a bit of a mess in the middle with the starting number today, so I am very satisfied that I managed to pull off such a good result, said Windingstad to news. Thus, as many as three Norwegians ended up in the top five during the World Cup opening. – It’s absolutely insane. We’re a bit of a team, it’s fun to be part of it. It will almost be my afterthought that I was part of the best alpine team Norway has had, said Windingstad about the team’s performance. IMPRESSED: Rasmus Windingstad Photo: LISA LEUTNER / Reuters Satisfied with the conditions Atle Lie McGrath was well satisfied with the first round in Sölden, but was unable to fight for any top positions. He took 18th place. McGrath also chooses to pay tribute to the team performance. – Completely wild. The fact that there are seven Norwegians in the final is pretty cool. It’s a pretty raw effort from the gang today. Really fun to be a part of, he told news. Kristoffersen was 95 hundredths behind Odermatt, while Atle Lie McGrath was 97 hundredths behind the Swiss – as best Norwegians after the first round. – Super relaxed, best I’ve ever done in Sölden. Then I think I push it a little too much the three gates after the last long bend. But the feeling and hanging down was superb, Kristoffersen told news before the final round. He thought the conditions in Sölden were very good. – The second half is going to be rougher, so then it is possible to take more time. It’s the easiest Sölden I’ve ever driven. I think everyone says that, he said and was supported by McGrath. – I would say that it is the easiest lap I have driven in Sölden so far. It was a very nice relationship. I drove tactically exactly as I wanted, considering that I have never made it to the second half here, he says to news. Had it tough Aamodt Kilde had it a little tougher in Sölden. He was some way behind after the first lap, and drove out when he had trouble in the hang in the final lap. – It’s a bit typical when you’ve done a little hanging skiing in slalom, it’s a bit easy to get excited and lose your head. It’s really sad, said the Alpine set to news. He thus got off to a difficult start in the hunt for the overall ball. Alexander Steen Olsen impressed in his first senior race in Sölden. The 21-year-old drove a good first round, but couldn’t quite get things going during the final. Steen Olsen finished in 19th place. – It was fun. Get a nice surprise to enter the hangar and feel that there were good conditions. Then it was just a matter of feeding on, said the youngster to news before the start of the final. Leif Kristian Nestvold-Haugen was number 14. Fabian Wilkens Solheim failed to qualify for the final round.
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Kristoffersen clearly marked by a podium place – tribute to the late boss – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
