Meillard Masters the Face de Bellevarde
Loïc Meillard won Friday's 70th Critérium de la Première Neige in Val d'Isère, claiming victory with authority on the legendary Face de Bellevarde. The Swiss skier, fifth after the first run, posted the fastest time in a second run held in shadow to secure his eighth World Cup victory.
1. Loïc Meillard (SUI) – 2:10.07
2. Luca Aerni (SUI) – +0.18
3. Marco Odermatt (SUI) – +0.33
4. Timon Haugan (NOR) – +0.42
5. Stefan Brennsteiner (AUT) – +0.47
Behind him, Luca Aerni delivered a spectacular charge from 13th place to claim silver by just 18 hundredths, while Marco Odermatt completed a historic Swiss sweep. This marks Switzerland's second 1-2-3 finish of 2025, following Hafjell in March with the same podium in a different order.
The Key: A Second Run in Shadow
The race was decided by contrasting conditions. While the first run unfolded under brilliant sunshine with temperatures of -2°C, the second saw the top skiers tackle the course in shadow, creating significantly more difficult conditions due to the reversal of the top 30.
Fifth and 57 hundredths behind leader Stefan Brennsteiner after the first run, Meillard managed these tricky conditions perfectly. With the fastest time of the second run at 1:08.35, the Swiss skier demonstrated his experience and technique to triumph on his favorite giant slalom venue.
"Val d'Isère is really my favorite giant slalom venue. I managed to make the fewest mistakes when conditions became complicated in the shadow. It was important to stay focused and not take too many risks."
Aerni, Master of the Shadow
The day's finest performance arguably belongs to Luca Aerni. Thirteenth after the first run, 1.36 seconds back, the Swiss skier posted the second-fastest time of the second run (1:07.74) to climb eleven places and secure his first podium of the season.
This performance confirms that Val d'Isère is his favorite giant slalom venue. Just 18 hundredths behind Meillard, Aerni nearly pulled off a sensation with an anthological comeback in conditions where most favorites lost time.
Odermatt Misses the 50-Win Mark
Marco Odermatt was aiming for his 50th World Cup victory on Friday, which would have tied him with Italian legend Alberto Tomba. The Nidwalden native will have to wait longer after finishing third, 33 hundredths behind Meillard.
This is Switzerland's second 1-2-3 finish of 2025 after Hafjell on March 15 (Meillard ahead of Odermatt and Tumler).
You have to go back to Sölden in October 2024 to find a giant slalom podium without a Swiss skier.
Odermatt remains at 28 giant slalom victories, consolidating his dominance of the discipline.
Fourth after the first run, 46 hundredths behind Brennsteiner, Odermatt lacked precision in the upper section with his bib number 3, making it difficult to find rhythm. Despite the third-fastest time of the second run (1:08.79), he could do no better than third place. A notable statistic: Odermatt hasn't won this season without leading after the first run.
Brennsteiner Cracks in Second Run
Stefan Brennsteiner seemed headed for a second consecutive victory after dominating the first run (1:01.15). The 34-year-old Austrian, winner at Copper Mountain two weeks ago for his first career victory, led Henrik Kristoffersen by 28 hundredths and Timon Haugan by 33 hundredths.
But the second run in shadow crushed his ambitions. Brennsteiner lost 1.24 seconds with a time of 1:09.39, dropping to fifth place overall. A disappointment for the Austrian who had shown excellent form in the upper section during the first run.
Mixed Results for the French
Alexis Pinturault finished tied for 23rd at 1.63 seconds, posting his best first run of the season (ninth at 1.07) before dropping back in the second. The Savoyard, a double winner in Val d'Isère in 2016 and 2017, is still searching for his first top 10 of the season after finishes of 18th, 12th, and 11th in the first three giant slaloms.
Léo Anguenot salvaged French honor with 19th place (+1.35). Fifteenth after the first run, the Frenchman posted an encouraging second-run time of 1:08.74 to finish respectably in the final standings.
Thibaut Favrot, 18th after the first run and arriving in form from his eighth place at Beaver Creek, unfortunately didn't qualify for the final standings. Diego Orecchioni, Flavio Vitale, Alban Elezi Cannaferina, and Guerlain Favre didn't make the first-run cut.
Kristoffersen and Tumler Disappoint
Henrik Kristoffersen, second after the first run just 28 hundredths behind Brennsteiner, endured a catastrophic second run. The Norwegian dropped to 11th overall (+0.91) after losing 1.27 seconds with a time of 1:09.55.
Thomas Tumler also experienced a difficult afternoon. Seventh after the first run (+0.77) and well-positioned for a podium shot, the Swiss skier was too aggressive in the second run and dropped to 22nd place (+1.63), unable to calibrate his effort in the shadow.
Strong American and Brazilian Showings
River Radamus finished sixth (+0.54), confirming the American team's good form, which also placed Ryder Sarchett in the top 10 (10th with bib 52, +0.77). A promising performance for the 22-year-old.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen continues his remarkable return under Brazilian colors by finishing seventh (+0.59). Eighth after the first run, the naturalized Norwegian confirms his consistency.
Sunday's Appointment
The Val d'Isère weekend continues Sunday with the men's slalom. Clément Noël, who doesn't compete in giant slaloms, will be on the start line to defend his chances in his favorite specialty. The Face de Bellevarde promises another world-class show.
Conclusion: With this historic sweep, Switzerland confirms its overwhelming dominance of men's giant slalom. Meillard claims a fine victory on his favorite venue, Aerni delivers a spectacular comeback, and Odermatt must wait to equal Tomba. The Nidwalden native's quest for his 50th victory continues.