This new slalom with an improbable scenario smiled on the German Linus Strasser, who beat the Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath by 03/100 and the Austrian Manuel Feller by 39/100, author of a crazy comeback in the 2nd run (28th in the first plot).

The joy of German Linus Strasser, winner of the night slalom in Schaldming (Austria), counting for the World Cup, in front of Norwegian Atle Lie Mcgrath (g) and Austrian Manuel Feller, January 25, 2022 ERWIN SCHERIAU APA/ AFP

As in Kitzbühel on Saturday (15th in the end), as in Wengen ten days ago (8th), or in Madonna di Campiglio at the end of December (exit), Clément Noël proposed an inconclusive second round (20th time on Tuesday).

"It's a bad evening again (...) I can't manage to give it my all on the second runs, I can't ski well, to be confident when I'm at the start. I don't know not too much. I would like to ski at my best level, but I can't do it", he regretted while emphasizing the positive of his first pass.

The world No.2 of the last three seasons in slalom has not managed to find the level which had allowed him to explode the competition in Val d'Isère in December, nor to taste regularly at the forefront.

A problem as skiers now turn to the Beijing Olympics even though Christmas now has three weeks to prepare for the February 16 slalom.

"Not terrible"

In his image, Alexis Pinturault is chasing after confidence, and seemed affected by a new exit from the track in the first heat.

Already out in Kitzbühel on Saturday, Pinturault signs a fourth zero in six slaloms this winter.

On Tuesday, the holder of the big crystal globe was skiing on a route designed by his coach, with an impeccable track on which he had three podiums in three years.

Frenchman Alexis Pinturault answers questions from journalists, after training, on January 19, 2022 in Reiterlam, near Schladming KERSTIN JOENSSON AFP

"It's not terrible at all. Every time I arrive in a new race, I change my state of mind, but the results are not better for all that and feed this + hell +. The situation is far from being easy. After a while there are doubts and doubt is the enemy of the athlete", he blew in the mixed zone.

"At the Games it can't be worse than what I'm doing right now," he tried to be positive, as he chases his first Olympic title in Beijing after having already won three medals (giant's bronze in 2014 and 2018, handset silver in 2018).

At two-thirds of an irregular season (three podiums, no victory) Pinturault will head for China on Sunday, after a few days of rest in the sun to try to forget his doubts.

In front, a sixth different winner won in six World Cup slaloms this season with Linus Strasser.

German Linus Strasser, during the 1st round of the slalom in Schladming (Austria), counting for the World Cup, January 25, 2022 GEORG HOCHMUTH APA / AFP

It is the third victory of the 29-year-old German's career, the second in slalom after Zagreb last year, ahead of the young Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath, who signs his first podium in slalom despite the handicap of a high bib (34).

Austrian Manuel Feller, back from Covid-19 contamination, put on a show by climbing 25 places to snatch the podium thanks to a second supersonic passage.

Something to delight the 1,000 noisy supporters authorized by the sanitary gauge in the arrival stadium.

© 2022 AFP