Rome (AFP)

Author of an extraordinary second run, the Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin took second place on Sunday in the giant slalom of the World Cup in Alta Badia, the Italian resort where he experienced the only success of his career but also a serious injury.

"Three years ago I won here, but last year I left on a stretcher. It's special, Alta Badia," Sarrazin told AFP.

In 2016, the skier from Gap had indeed created a huge surprise by winning the parallel giant slalom organized in the resort of the Dolomites, which remained until Sunday his only World Cup podium.

Change of trend last season, with an ugly fall, sanctioned by a fracture of the external tibial plateau of the right knee.

So the second place won on Sunday on the Gran Risa behind the Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen necessarily has a particular taste.

"There is satisfaction, relief, surprise too. I did not expect it at all. I am so happy, after two difficult years," said Sarrazin.

"When I look behind me, I tell myself that I can be proud of myself and that I must thank all the people who believed in it, who supported me and who will recognize themselves. It is an incredible feeling", a- he added.

The Frenchman built his result in the second heat, of which he set the fastest time after his 22nd place on the first track.

"In the second run, I was in the + fight + spirit, ready for war, combat. I let go, with zero brakes," he said after having gained 20 places between the two runs.

"But I had no idea it was as good. I couldn't imagine that I was going fast enough for the podium," he said.

- Pinturault far behind -

In the end, Sarrazin was therefore inserted between Kristoffersen, now leader in the general classification and in the Giant Slalom World Cup, and the Slovenian Zan Kranjec.

The three men are those who best interpreted a complicated race, disputed on a difficult track, prepared as best as possible in recent days despite unfavorable weather conditions and whose start has been lowered.

"I am super happy with this victory, because it is undoubtedly with Altenboden the most prestigious of the giant slaloms," said Kristoffersen, still quite critical of the racing conditions.

"A victory is a victory, but I would have liked to win from the top, that's the real Gran Risa. It was a really difficult race. Probably fair, but horrible. Because everyone skied horribly ", he estimated.

Behind Sarrazin, the other French have known various fortunes. Third in the first run and a candidate for victory, Alexis Pinturault made too many mistakes on the second course and ended up only 8th.

Thibaut Favrot took a good 13th place thanks to 5th time in the second run. Mathieu Faivre was 22nd and Victor Muffat-Jeandet 24th.

Monday, the stage of Alta Badia continues with the parallel giant, where Sarrazin had revealed himself three years ago.

"Now it's a bonus, my weekend is already successful. I have something to play and I will try to have fun, like in 2016," he said.

© 2019 AFP