Radamus Top 15 in Alta Badia
On Sunday’s giant slalom race in Alta Badia, Italy River Radamus landed in a solid 15th place position.
“This is the most special track on the circuit. I always hold this one in high regard,” said Radamus. “I always try to put down a performance I can be proud of.”
Radamus is one of the many athletes who love the Gran Risa track for its technicality, length, views and optimal snow conditions. This year however the snow conditions proved to be a bit more difficult for the racers due to continuous injections on top of new snow. Regardless of the challenge Radamus was able to find the outside ski and put himself within contention on run one in 11th, just 1.13 seconds from first.
“The conditions were a little tougher than usual with some variable conditions in the course and low visibility made it difficult to execute,” said Radamus. “I liked my approach and intensity and I am trusting the things I am doing in preparation but I did not quite flow with the course the way I wanted to today.”
On the second run a second challenge was added to the slope - bad light. The sun was nowhere to be seen on Sunday and the light continued to fluctuate as snow lightly started to come down. This again added a new layer of difficulty for some racers. Radamus on run two was not able to link his turns the way he wanted and ultimately moved down to 15th place overall.
“It’s frustrating to have to wait another year to come back here but I will be thinking about this one as I go through my training this season to next season.”
The winner of the day was none other than Swiss phenom Marco Odermatt who claimed his 41st World Cup victory, second place went to first time podium winner Leo Anguenot of France and third place was Norwegian Alexander Steen Olsen. Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Tommy Ford did not finish the first run and Isaiah Nelson and Bridger Gile did not qualify for a second run.
Radamus is now switching gears to slalom on Monday, a discipline he says himself and the rest of the slalom team is ready to conquer.
RESULTS
men's giant slalom
HOW TO WATCH
Monday, 12/23
Run 1 - 4:00 a.m. ET, - slalom - LIVE on skiandsnowboard.live
Run 2 - 7:30 a.m. ET - slalom - LIVE on skiandsnowboard.live
River Radamus
River Radamus hails from Edwards, Colorado where he learned to ski on the slopes of Vail, alongside his parents who are coaches. Radamus showed promise from an early age, named to the team in 2016. He is a three-time Youth Olympic Games gold medalist; he is the first to achieve this feat. Radamus also won two Junior World Championships gold medals, one in super-G and one in giant slalom. Radamus finished just off the podium at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, in fourth place. He was also part of the team event that won gold at the 2023 World Championships event.