Ski racer Linus Straßer did not get past 14th place in the slalom classic in Kitzbühel. After all, the Munich player scored points again on Saturday after three zero numbers in the previous four goal runs of the season. On the legendary Ganslernhang it was his first since 2015.
In heavy snowfall, the victory went to the British Dave Ryding, who, at the age of 35, celebrated his first World Cup success, came as a complete surprise. “It was a long and crazy journey,” said Ryding, who was second in Kitz five years ago behind Marcel Hirscher and has achieved two more podium finishes.
With his great drive, he not only moved his former competitor Felix Neureuther to tears. “I have a bit of Pippi in my eyes,” said the ARD expert, “that’s huge and emotional.”
The Norwegians Lucas Braathen and Henrik Kristoffersen came in second and third. Eleven drivers dropped out in the second race. Straßer’s teammate Anton Tremmel benefited from the many failures and got his first World Cup points of the winter in 17th place. David Ketterer as 38th as well as Julian Rauchfuss, Alexander Schmid and Fabian Himmelsbach, who were all eliminated, were not in the final. There is one more descent in Kitzbühel on Sunday.