The Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm delivered thrilling action in the giant slalom event, with Austria celebrating a home gold while Germany’s Anton Grammel staged an impressive comeback in the second run.
Haaser Surprises with Gold, Odermatt Off the Podium
Swiss ski star Marco Odermatt, the reigning Super-G world champion, missed out on a second gold medal at the championships, finishing fourth in the highly competitive giant slalom on the Zwölferkogel. Austrian Raphael Haaser pulled off a surprise victory, securing gold in front of an ecstatic home crowd of more than 20,000 spectators.
Silver and bronze went to Odermatt’s Swiss teammates Thomas Tumler and Loic Meillard, marking a strong performance for Switzerland despite their top contender missing the podium. Haaser, who had already claimed silver in the Super-G, stunned the field by moving up from fifth place to clinch victory in the final run. Norwegian Timon Haugan, who led after the first run, slipped to seventh place after a disappointing second effort.
Grammel’s Comeback in the Second Run
For the German team, the first run in the giant slalom proved underwhelming. However, Anton Grammel turned the tide with a spectacular second run, making up ten places to finish in 12th position. The 26-year-old skied with determination, describing his performance as a “merciless line” that enabled him to climb the rankings. His teammates Fabian Gratz and Jonas Stockinger finished in 18th and 26th place, respectively.
Germany Still Hunting for a Medal
As the World Championships progress, the German team remains without a medal. Hopes now rest on Lena Dürr and Linus Straßer, who are strong contenders for podium finishes in the upcoming slalom events scheduled for the weekend. With the slaloms set to take place on Saturday and Sunday, German fans will be eagerly watching to see if their athletes can break onto the podium.
The giant slalom event once again demonstrated the unpredictability and excitement of alpine skiing, with Haaser’s stunning gold medal win proving that anything can happen on race day. As the championships continue, the competition remains fierce, and the quest for medals intensifies.
