Turin, Dec. 23 (LaPresse) – Timon Haugan held firm in the second run and confirmed his lead to win the slalom in Alta Badia, the final event of the World Cup quartet in the Dolomite valleys of South Tyrol. This marks the 27-year-old Norwegian's second career slalom victory, having previously triumphed on the Planai in Schladming last January. Leading since the first run, Haugan completed the race in 1’45"40, finishing 1.13 seconds ahead of Swiss skier Loic Meillard, who climbed six positions in the second run to overtake fellow Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath (+1.26), who had been second at the halfway point. Norway also claimed fourth place with Henrik Kristoffersen (+1.31), while Croatian Samuel Kolega finished fifth at 1.32 seconds, and Frenchman Clement Noel placed sixth at 1.89 seconds behind.
It was not an especially exciting day for the Italian specialists on a Gran Risa course that was icy in many stretches. Only two Italians completed the event, South Tyrolean athletes Simon Maurberger and Tobias Kastlunger. Wearing bib number 55, Maurberger performed well in the first run and climbed one more position in the decisive run to secure 21st place with a time deficit of 3.69 seconds. Just behind him, Kastlunger finished in 24th place (+4.28), unable to change gears in the second run after a steady first performance.
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