Henrik Kristoffersen (28) has acquired a perfect starting point to take his fifth victory in the Schladming slalom.
After 30 athletes have completed the first half, Henrik Kristoffersen leads with 21 hundredths to Manuel Feller and 30 hundredths to Loic Mellaird.
Lucas Braathen is number four, 57 hundredths behind Kristoffersen.
From starting number one, Henrik Kristoffersen delivered a brilliant lap in the folk festival under the floodlights on the Schladming hill.
As leader, he will start last in the second half. As a rule, it is an advantage to have an early starting number, as the snow is as little as possible driven up.
– We’ll see what happens, says Henrik Kristoffersen to TV 2.
Kristoffersen has previously won the prestigious Schladming slalom a record four times.
– He had an incredibly rhythmic and nice round. He drove aggressive turns throughout, while remaining in control. He found a very nice balance, says Nina Haver-Løseth, TV 2 expert.
Lucas Braathen is currently number four. The 22-year-old made some small mistakes at the bottom of the hill and finished 57 hundredths behind Kristoffersen. He was unhappy with my own ending.
– Good driving. You see Henrik and Lucas who are in great shape. They are very solid for driving fast turns. It’s fun to watch, says speed specialist Aleksander Aamodt Kilde to VG.
– They have such steely control.
– In the middle of the tree, says Lucas Braathen to TV 2.
For Timon Haugan (1.44 seconds behind Kristoffersen), Atle Lie McGrath on (1.73 seconds behind Kristoffersen), Sebastian Foss-Solevåg (2.21 seconds behind) and Alexander Steen Olsen, it was somewhat slower.
The second half starts from 20.45 on TV 2. You can follow it directly here.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mikaela Shiffrin, the girlfriend of Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, became historic with his 83rd victory in the World Cup:
