Schladming: Meillard Wins, Elezi Cannaferina Claims Maiden Podium

Loïc Meillard (SUI) claimed victory in the Schladming night giant slalom with a total time of 2:14.38, prevailing through exemplary consistency in both runs (2nd, then 2nd). But under the Planai floodlights before 45,000 spectators, a young Frenchman stole the spotlight: Alban Elezi Cannaferina, author of the fastest second run (1:06.04), secured third place at just 22 years old (+0.90), earning his first-ever World Cup podium. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA), leader at halfway by a mere six hundredths, faltered in the final to settle for second (+0.73). On brutally icy snow, the race wreaked havoc with 20 DNFs, while Marco Odermatt (SUI) never found his rhythm (4th, +1.26).

Elezi Cannaferina: A Generational Breakthrough

At 22, Alban Elezi Cannaferina wrote himself into French skiing history by claiming his first World Cup podium in one of the circuit's most iconic races. Eighth after the first run at 1.03 off the lead, the young Frenchman delivered a phenomenal second run to secure third place and likely an Olympic berth.

With the fastest time of the second run at 1:06.04, Elezi Cannaferina dominated the competition, even edging Meillard by seven hundredths on that run. Starting in 23rd position (reversed top 30 order), he perfectly exploited an already rutted but stabilized course after adjusting his equipment between runs.

The Chamrousse Ski Club member had already shown his potential by becoming junior world champion in giant slalom in 2024. Tonight, on the legendary Planai at Schladming, he took a decisive step forward just two weeks before the Milano-Cortina Olympics. In the context of the race for final French Olympic quotas, this performance takes on particular significance.

Meillard: Victory Through Consistency

Loïc Meillard claimed victory without fireworks, but with ruthless efficiency. Second in both runs (1:08.27 then 1:06.11), the Swiss never panicked despite trailing the Brazilian leader by a mere six hundredths at halfway.

In the second run, Meillard delivered a solid performance to post the second-fastest time, just seven hundredths behind Elezi Cannaferina. Enough to overturn Pinheiro Braathen and secure his second giant slalom victory this season after Val d'Isère in December.

This victory demonstrates the Hérémence skier's rising form ahead of the Olympics. Already Olympic combined silver medalist in Beijing 2022, Meillard now establishes himself among the serious podium contenders in giant slalom at Milano-Cortina.

Pinheiro Braathen: Cruel Disappointment

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen thought he had his first giant slalom victory this season within reach. Leading at halfway with a time of 1:08.21, the Brazilian held only a razor-thin margin of six hundredths over Meillard. Too little to allow any approximation.

In the final, Pinheiro Braathen managed only the seventh-fastest time (1:06.90, +0.86) and watched Meillard snatch victory by 73 hundredths. A cruel disappointment for the skier who had perfectly negotiated the first run with the fastest times in three of four sectors.

It's the third consecutive second place in giant slalom for Pinheiro Braathen this winter, struggling to take that final step to victory in this discipline. Nevertheless, he delivers a strong performance fifteen days before the Olympics.

Odermatt Never in Contention

Winner of the last giant slalom in Adelboden, Marco Odermatt never found his rhythm on the icy Planai. Seventh after the first run at 94 hundredths back, the Swiss still seemed capable of challenging for the podium.

But from the start of the second run, a small error in the first sector (+0.64, 27th sector time) compromised his race. Unable to regain his footing afterward, Odermatt limited the damage with the fifth-fastest final time (+0.45), but had to settle for fourth place overall at 1.26 behind Meillard.

For the giant slalom World Cup leader, this setback comes at the wrong time, two weeks before the Olympics where he'll target gold in his preferred discipline.

Maes: Belgium's Strong Comeback

Sam Maes delivered one of the evening's most impressive comebacks. Eighteenth after the first run at 1.90 off the lead, the Belgian executed an exceptional second run to leap to sixth place overall (+1.85).

With the third-fastest time of the second run (1:06.12, +0.08), just eight hundredths behind Elezi Cannaferina, Maes gained twelve positions in a single run. A polished performance rewarding the technical adjustments made between runs.

Germans: Adaptation Failure

Fabian Gratz and Anton Grammel had shone in the first run thanks to optimal equipment choice for the icy snow (3rd and 6th). But in the second run, the magic vanished.

Gratz, third at halfway by just 31 hundredths, completely missed his final. With the 22nd-fastest time of the second run (+1.96), the German plummeted to eleventh place, dropping eight positions. Grammel suffered a similar fate, sliding from sixth to tenth.

The two Germans clearly failed to reproduce their winning setup from the first run, proving that equipment adaptation between runs was the evening's key challenge.

Vinatzer: Final Sector Collapse

Fifth after the first run by only 72 hundredths, Alex Vinatzer seemed well-positioned to challenge for the podium. But the Italian experienced a nightmare in the second run.

Still competitive through the first three sectors, Vinatzer completely blew the final section, hemorrhaging 2.77 seconds in that sector alone! Ultimately, 27th-fastest second run (+3.50) and a fall to 23rd place.

Brutally Icy Course

Racing conditions proved extremely difficult throughout the evening. With sub-zero temperatures (-2°C at the start, -1°C at the finish) and snow officially classified as "hard," the Planai proved likely the iciest course of the winter.

In the first run, the track evolved rapidly, rutting and becoming unstable for early starters. Eighteen skiers failed to finish, a 28% elimination rate. The course then stabilized from the 32nd competitor onward, paradoxically offering more readable conditions for late starters.

In the second run, competitors appeared more comfortable on the already-tested surface, but selectivity remained extreme with two additional DNFs, bringing the day's total to 20 DNFs—a historically high figure for giant slalom.

French Campaign: Mixed Results

While Elezi Cannaferina shone brightly, the rest of the French team endured a difficult evening. Of five entered, four failed to finish the first run, all victims of the icy conditions. Leo Anguenot finished 24th (+4.27), while Alexis Pinturault and Guerlain Favre barely qualified for the second run, finishing 26th and 27th respectively.

In the context of the race for Olympic quotas, Elezi Cannaferina's performance carries particular importance. The young Frenchman sends a powerful signal two weeks before the Milano-Cortina Games and establishes himself as a key asset for the French team.

Next Up: Nightrace Slalom

The Planai hosts the legendary Nightrace slalom on Tuesday, January 28, with 45,000 spectators under the floodlights. First run at 5:45 PM, second at 8:45 PM local time.

After this memorable giant slalom evening, the slalom specialists will have their chance to shine on this demanding course two weeks before the Milano-Cortina Olympics.