Austria’s Marco Schwarz ignited the iconic Gran Risa slope today, charging out of bib 1 to seize a commanding lead after the first run of the men’s giant slalom at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Alta Badia — and claiming the coveted green leader’s bib in the process.
Schwarz delivered what observers called a “dream run” on the perfectly prepared, snowy course, leaving the field in his wake. No skier could match his flawless blend of aggression and precision, building a substantial gap that has fans buzzing about a potential upset on one of the World Cup’s most demanding tracks.
The Swiss contingent, often dominant on Gran Risa, struggled to keep pace. Luca Aerni emerged as the best Swiss after the opening run, sitting sixth at 1.14 seconds back, followed closely by Loïc Meillard in seventh. Reigning giant slalom king Marco Odermatt, a five-time winner here, found himself in 11th — a rare off-day for the Nidwalden phenom who looked perplexed at the finish.
Local Italian hopes rested on Alex Vinatzer, but the South Tyrolean trailed by around two seconds, while other home favorites lagged further behind.
With the second run set for 13:30 CET, Schwarz holds all the cards on the legendary Gran Risa — a steep, technical beast known for dramatic comebacks and heart-stopping finishes. Can the Austrian convert his “zauberlauf” (magical run) into victory, or will Odermatt unleash his trademark second-run charge?
Live results available on fis-ski.com and the FIS app. The skiing world holds its breath for what promises to be an epic finale in the Dolomites.
