Brilliant Braathen wins first Crystal Globe as slalom season goes to the wire

The Audi FIS Alpine skiing season has been a thriller from start to finish, so it was appropriate that the final race of the winter was an absolute cracker.

With the slalom Crystal Globe still up for grabs and several racers still in contention, the top tech names went toe-to-toe in Soldeu to try and grab glory as the curtain dropped for 2022-23.

An impeccable pair of performances gave Ramon Zenhaeusern (SUI) the win on the day in Andorra, itself an inspiring story given his struggles with confidence at the start of the season.

But it was Lucas Braathen (NOR) who stole the limelight with his second place finish (just +0.06 seconds behind). It was enough for the new kid on the Norwegian block to just beat his teammate, the slalom grandmaster Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR), who came third, to the title.

Braathen has overcome undergoing surgery mid-season, to remove his appendix, somehow keeping his strength and fitness for this crucial charge. The emotional ‘Pinheiro’ had declared earlier on social media that it was his mission to lift the title.

“This Globe represents every hard choice and sacrifice, all the dedication I’ve put into this since I was nine years old,” said Braathen after raising the glassware. “This road I share with my dad. It is unbelievable that we are here today. It’s at its place. It’s where it belongs.

“I wanted to show nine-year-old Lucas that this was possible. It was worth everything that has been sacrificed for it. It’s here.

“That’s what it’s all about. If there was no emotion on a day like today, then I’m doing it for all the wrong reasons. This means everything to me.

“I hope every kid back home sees that this is possible. Do it your way. Trust yourself, at the end of the day you are your own teacher, and the only one who will stick with you through thick and thin.”

The race itself was nail biting, with plenty of ruts on a pitch reacting to the warm spring weather. Daniel Yule (SUI), who was in contention for the Globe, crashed out, as did Fabio Gstrein (AUT), who had looked lively on the first run.

Zenhaeusern, though, absolutely loved it: the tall, rangy skier somehow carved out more fluid lines than anyone else, and turned up the intensity on the final steep section.

It was enough for the Swiss ace to grab third place in the overall slalom standings, and was redemption for an athlete who had been struggling with doubt in his ability back in autumn.

“It’s an amazing, special day, after the last year,” he said. “I haven’t had a good season, I’ve had some injuries, and I had bib number 25 at the start of the season. So now to get a victory, it is so nice.

“To see the day I did, it is so emotional. I’d like to say a big thanks to everyone who believed in me, especially the Swiss Ski Federation, and all the people we thought about me. It makes it special. It is nice to have this support.”

Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) saw a familiar pattern for this season unfold. He underwhelmed on run one, finishing in fifth, but then laid down a barnstorming second ski, with fast feet and great timing, to blast himself in contention.

But on the day he had to settle for third place, finishing +0.63 adrift of Zenhaeusern. More importantly, he was a place behind Braathen, who he needed to beat to pocket his fourth slalom Crystal Globe.

“It’s OK, this is skiing,” he said. “I have respect for the other athletes, they train hard and push everything they can. So chapeau for Lucas, he had a very good season.

“It was not decided today. I messed this up in Adelboden, when we were really fast but skied out, and Schladming, where after the first run I messed up.

“Chamonix I struggled, then Tahoe I was a little unlucky with the weather. Lucas had some good light and the last bibs didn’t. But overall, Lucas has done a fantastic season. He is a great skier and a great guy, so all the praise for Lucas.”