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Schwarz shines under the Schladming lights

Jan 26, 2021·Alpine Skiing
SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA - JANUARY 26 : Marco Schwarz of Austria takes 1st place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Slalom on January 26, 2021 in Schladming Austria. (Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom)

Under the lights in Schladming, Marco Schwarz continued his strong season, winning on home soil in Schladming for his second victory since the star of the new year.

It was the fourth podium for Schwarz since the new year as he has massive momentum heading into the FIS World Ski Championships in Cortina.

“It’s pretty amazing to win in Schladming, it’s the classic to win. It was tough to come back from sixth place in the first run, but to win feels pretty amazing,” said Schwarz after the win.

It was a different feel in Schladming, which normally welcomes more than 40.0000 fans, but the racers nevertheless put on show for the TV audience in snowy skies under the lights.

Schwarz finished ahead of a pair of Frenchmen as Clement Noel finished in second place 0.68 seconds behind and Alexis Pinturault 0.82 behind.

The final top three were nowhere near podium position heading into the second run with all well out of range of the top three. But heave snowfall made the conditions unpredictable for the entire field setting up the surprise finish.

Today marked the end of an era as 41-year-old Julien Lizeroux skied in his last race after announcing his retirement last week. FIS wishes Julien all the best in the future and thanks him for his 20+ year World Cup career.

The tech men will have one last chance to flex their muscles before the upcoming World Championships in Cortina with two slalom races in Chamonix next weekend.