YUZAWA NAEBA, Japan (Feb. 13, 2016) – David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) was the lone U.S. finisher in 26th on another warm, springlike day at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom Saturday.
“Whew, tough GS race today in extremely warm conditions,” Chodounsky wrote on his Instagram account. “Not the greatest race for me but still nice to be in the points!”
World Cup racing returned to the slopes of Yuzawa Naeba for the first time in 41 years as France went 1-2 with Alexis Pinturault taking the victory over teammate Mathieu Faivre. Italy’s Massimiliano Blardone finished third. Overall World Cup leader Marcel Hirscher finished sixth and leads Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, who finished fourth, by 124 points. Hirscher also leads the overall World Cup giant slalom standings with five races remaining.
A technical track, combined with soft snow and warm temperatures, made for challenging conditions for many racers, including American Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV).
“I had a good run going … there was a bit of a compression and a little bit of a rut, and I just caught it pretty awkwardly and it shot me out onto my hip and unfortunately I had to come to a halt,” Jitloff said of his first-run mistake. “It’s disappointing to come all this way and not get any points, but we have five more GS races until the end of the season, so I have to regroup and think about the next one coming up in Hinterstoder (Austria).”
Up next, the men race slalom Sunday in Yuzawa Naeba. American’s scheduled to race include Chodounsky, Michael Ankeny (Deephaven, MN), Mark Engel (Truckee, CA), Robby Kelley (Starksboro, VT) and Tim Kelley (Starksboro, VT).
HIGHLIGHTS
- David Chodounsky was the top American finisher in 26th place.
- France’s Alexis Pinturault won his 11th World Cup race – his second career giant slalom victory.
- Austria’s Marcel Hirscher finished sixth to maintain his overall World Cup lead with 1045 points over Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen in second with 921 points.
- Saturday’s race was the first time in 41 years since the World Cup has taken place on the slopes of slopes of Yuzawa Naeba.
- Thirty-six-year-old Massimiliano Blardone’s third-place finish was his first World Cup podium in almost four years – he won the Crans Montana giant slalom on Feb. 26, 2012.
QUOTES
Tim Jitloff
I had a good run going … there was a bit of a compression and a little bit of a rut, and I just caught it pretty awkwardly and it shot me out onto my hip and unfortunately I had to come to a halt.
It’s disappointing to come all this way and not get any points, but we have five more GS races until the end of the season, so I have to regroup and think about the next one coming up in Hinterstoder (Austria).
Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)
Saturday, Feb. 13
1:00 p.m. - Men's giant slalom, Yuzawa Naeba - Universal HD
8:00 p.m. - Men's SL1, Yuzawa Naeba - LIVE NBC Sports Live Extra
11:00 p.m. - Men's SL2, Yuzawa Naeba - LIVE NBC Sports Live Extra
Sunday, Feb. 14
12:00 p.m. - Men's slalom, Yuzawa Naeba - Universal HD
RESULTS
Men’s giant slalom