Zubčić Leads the Pack in alta Badia Giant Slalom
The first run of the men’s giant slalom at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Alta Badia saw Croatia’s Filip Zubčić take the lead. He edged out Norway’s Aleksander Steen Olsen by a mere five hundredths of a second, with Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt trailing in third place, 0.19 seconds behind.
Zubčić’s aggressive and error-free run, despite a slightly slower finish, secured his top spot. He gained crucial tenths of a second over Steen Olsen in the middle section of the course. Odermatt, the reigning World Cup champion in both giant slalom and slalom, struggled too find his rhythm and skied a wider line compared to his competitors.
Less than half a second separated Zubčić from the chasing pack, including Norwegian skiers Henrik Kristoffersen and Timon haugan, setting the stage for an exciting second run.
Slovakia’s Andreas Žampa secured a spot in the second run, finishing in 26th place and marking his first qualification of the season. his brother, Adam, unluckily, missed the cut for the top 30.
Andreas,starting with bib number 61,showcased his determination from the outset. Despite some minor errors, his aggressive skiing propelled him into the second run, trailing the leader by 2.25 seconds.”I’ve been feeling good these past few days, and I’m happy to have made it to the second run,” Andreas shared with JOJ Šport. “I hope the second run goes well too, and we’ll see what we can achieve.”
Adam, finishing in 47th place with a deficit of 3.95 seconds, expressed disappointment with his performance. “I lost time at the top,just like Andreas. I found my rhythm later, but the conditions were very challenging. I definitely have more potential,” he admitted.
Despite his own struggles, adam acknowledged his brother’s success. “I expected Andreas to qualify because he was fast in training. I’m disappointed with my own run. I wanted us both to be there, but there are positives to take away from this,” he concluded.
Zubčić’s Surge: An Exclusive Interview with Former World Champion, Bode Miller
The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Alta Badia is heating up, and Croatia’s filip zubčić currently sits atop the leaderboard after a stunning first run in the men’s giant slalom. Today, we’re joined by four-time olympic medalist and former World Champion, Bode Miller, to delve deep into this exciting turn of events.
Bode, Zubčić’s performance was impressive. He was aggressive, precise, and managed to hold off some serious competition.What stood out to you about his run?
“Absolutely. Zubčić’s run was a masterclass in calculated aggression. He pushed the limits but didn’t let mistakes creep in, especially in that crucial middle section. He really stole a few tenths there, which proved to be the difference. You can see he’s skiing with a lot of confidence right now, and that’s a dangerous combination.”
We saw Aleksander Steen Olsen and Marco Odermatt hot on his heels. How do you see the second run playing out?
“It’s going to be a nail-biter. Olsen is a fierce competitor, and he’ll be hungry to make up those precious milliseconds. Odermatt, even though he struggled a bit in the first run, can’t be counted out. He’s the reigning champ for a reason,and he’ll be looking to redeem himself. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him claw his way back to the top.”
The Žampa brothers provided their own share of drama. Andreas made the cut, accomplishing his first qualification of the season, but Adam narrowly missed out. What are your thoughts on their performances?
” Andreas’s story is a great inspiration. Starting with bib number 61, showing that grit and determination. It’s fantastic to see him finally qualify after a lot of hard work. Adam, on the other hand, had a rough day. conditions were tough for everyone, but he’ll learn from this and come back even stronger.
The bond these brothers share is evident, and thay undoubtedly push each other to be better. I’m sure Adam will be cheering Andreas on in the second run.”
Zubčić’s performance is undoubtedly a strong signal, but what will it take for him to remain in the lead?
“Consistency will be key. He needs to replicate that same level of focus, power, and precision in the second run. We’ve seen him falter in the past, so he absolutely needs to keep his cool and maintain that mental edge. The pressure will be immense, especially with Odermatt and Olsen breathing down his neck.”
Bode, as a seasoned champion, what advice would you give to Zubčić as he heads into the second run?
“Stay focused on your own skiing. Don’t worry about what the other guys are doing. Trust your training, trust your instincts, and just ski your race. This is your moment. Seize it.”
** What are your predictions for the second run? Who do you think will take home the gold? Let us know in the comments below!
