Rome, 25 Oct. (LaPresse) – It was another sprint race this year for the men’s World Cup circuit at the Sölden Opening. With runs lasting just over 52 seconds and the entire upper section cancelled due to strong gusts of wind, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen managed to navigate the wall and the transition to the final flat section to the best of his ability, finishing ahead of the field with a time of 1’44″72, securing his ninth career victory. Loic Meillard finished second, 48 hundredths behind, and Marco Odermatt third, 49 hundredths behind. River Radamus staged an excellent comeback, climbing 11 places to finish fourth. Raphael Haaser came fifth. An excellent seventh place for Alex Vinatzer. Giovanni Borsotti put in a fine performance in the first run, starting in 29th position, and was level with Pinheiro at the first intermediate time; although he made a mistake at the entrance to the wall, he still finished the first run in eighth place. Unfortunately, a mistake in the early stages of the second run ruled the Piedmontese rider out of contention. Giovanni Franzoni, in 19th place, also performed very well in the first run. He had an excellent first half, but above all clocked the fastest time in the final section. In the second run, however, the rider from Garda made a mistake in the closing section, losing the ideal line and ending up off the course.
Skiing: Braathen wins the opening giant slalom in Sölden, Vinatzer seventh
Rome, 25 Oct. (LaPresse) – It was another sprint race this year for the men’s World Cup circuit at the Sölden Opening. With runs lasting just over 52 seconds and the entire upper section cancelled due to strong gusts of wind, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen managed to navigate the wall and the transition to the final flat section to the best of his ability, finishing ahead of the field with a time of 1’44″72, securing his ninth career victory. Loic Meillard finished second, 48 hundredths behind, and Marco Odermatt third, 49 hundredths behind. River Radamus staged an excellent comeback, climbing 11 places to finish fourth. Raphael Haaser came fifth. An excellent seventh place for Alex Vinatzer. Giovanni Borsotti put in a fine performance in the first run, starting in 29th position, and was level with Pinheiro at the first intermediate time; although he made a mistake at the entrance to the wall, he still finished the first run in eighth place. Unfortunately, a mistake in the early stages of the second run ruled the Piedmontese rider out of contention. Giovanni Franzoni, in 19th place, also performed very well in the first run. He had an excellent first half, but above all clocked the fastest time in the final section. In the second run, however, the rider from Garda made a mistake in the closing section, losing the ideal line and ending up off the course.