On Friday, the stage is set for a super duel in Courchevel, France, when Henrik Kristoffersen will attempt to drive faster than alpine phenomenon Marco Odermatt in the giant slalom. Kristoffersen already has one WC gold in the discipline from 2019, but this season he is up against a superb Swiss. Odermatt leads both the World Cup overall and the Giant Slalom Cup. That makes him one of the big favorites on Friday. Nevertheless, Kristoffersen believes he has some aces up his sleeve that might tip the victory in his favor. – We ride on a brand new ski brand and make improvements throughout the season now. It may look like we have something new for Friday that could work very well. In alpine skiing you have no guarantee anyway, but it can work very well, says the Norwegian to news, without elaborating on what is being adjusted in the ski set-up. Compared to previous super duels It is precisely Kristoffersen who is behind Odermatt in the giant slalom cup, but he still has the advantage of being the best in a giant slalom race this season. The Swiss competitor has topped the podium four times in the discipline in the same period. – But the most important thing when it comes to Marco: You just have to keep putting pressure on him. You have to push him until he makes a mistake, quite simply. It is exactly the same as Marcel Hirscher did with Ted Ligety in giant slalom, Kristoffersen points out. SUPER DUEL: Here Marcel Hirscher (right) congratulates his competitor Ted Ligety for a World Cup victory in St. Moritz in 2014. Photo: MICHAELA REHLE / Reuters He is probably referring to the period from 2014 to 2015, where Hirscher and Ligety were the two who fought for the top positions. In 2014, the latter was the strongest, while Hirscher bounced back in 2015 and dominated the discipline for a number of years. – Ligety was also dominant for a season and a half to two seasons, and Hirscher kept putting pressure, pressure, pressure on him, and finally he made a mistake. Then we have the opportunity to take him. We have to focus on ourselves, drive as fast as we can and then we just have to keep pushing him – quite simply, says the 28-year-old. Kilde hunts Odermatt revenge Odermatt took his first WC downhill gold in Courchevel when he knocked out his competitors, including Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. The latter will also compete in the giant slalom on Friday, but this time it can be said that he is not the favorite to take the gold. Although the chances are not too great, he also hopes to get past Odermatt. – Yes, a little revenge there, smiles Kilde. SLO KILDE: Marco Odermatt was too strong for Aleksander Aamodt Kilde in the downhill race in Courchevel. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – He (Odermatt) was second in the downhill, then. I guess I haven’t exactly been number two lately in giant slalom, but anything can happen. It’s the WC and all possibilities are there. Although I shouldn’t set overly high expectations for myself, I will do what I can to live up to it. One thing has changed for Kristoffersen Most people probably still see Kristoffersen as Norway’s greatest hope for gold on Friday. Despite having World Cup gold, Olympic medals and loads of World Cup victories, he is still a hungry alpinist, he assures. GOLDEN BOY: Henrik Kristoffersen won the WC gold in giant slalom in Åre in 2019. Photo: Cornelius Poppe / NTB However, there is one thing that the 28-year-old from Rælingen believes has changed over the years. – I’m probably starting to feel more calm now. I’ve been thinking about it a bit lately, that the hunger and eagerness to be the best is always as great as before. But if I had quit today, I would have had a fantastic career. I have achieved things that many can only dream of, says Kristoffersen and continues: – That is not to say that I do not want to win more races, but it gives me peace of mind. When you first stand at the start and train, the eagerness to win is as great as it has always been. Maybe the moments where you have to relax, it’s easier to keep calm. When there is control with the media and things like that, there is greater calm than before. You can listen to the giant slalom race in Courchevel on news Sport on Friday at 10.00.
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Kristoffersen has made a “secret” plan to beat the superstar – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
