"It was a difficult round, with little light, a demanding route. I started very well, I got trapped by a change of snow, it cost me a lot of time", regretted Pinturault, only 11th in 2 sec 48 from the provisional leader after a big mistake halfway up the slope.
"For the medal, it seems very complicated to me, but to get places, yes, it is possible. I will try to give the best, we will see what it can give", added the Frenchman, already double medalist on these Worlds at home (gold in the combined, bronze in the super-G).
On a first run drawn by his trainer, the Austrian Marco Schwarz succeeded with the best time ahead of the Olympic champion and big Swiss favorite Marco Odermatt, author of a small fault (2nd at 58/100).
The Swiss Marco Odermatt, second time of the 1st round of the giant slalom of the Worlds on February 17, 2023 in Courchevel © Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP
The Slovenian Olympic vice-champion Zan Kranjec is 3rd at 76/100 and all the other competitors are pushed back more than a second, on the hyper icy and shaded track of the Eclipse.
Reigning world champion, Mathieu Faivre is very far, 25th at 3 sec 97, in line with a failed season where he struggles with equipment problems.
"A way of the cross... It was very complicated for me. I tried to fight, even if I could have gone out countless times. But it was the least I could do to fight to get there. downstairs, for the public. I really gave it my all, I tried to do things as best I could to have a good race but I'm not a magician," he lamented.
Frenchman Alexis Pinturault during the first round of the giant, as part of the Alpine Skiing World Championships, February 17, 2023 © Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
Léo Anguenot is 22nd before the second round scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
© 2023 AFP