had scored fifth in two World Cup slaloms prior to the Championships,
at Schladming and Val d’Isere.
The only Canadian with a better world title slalom result than fifth is
Michael Janyk, the bronze-medal winner in 2009. He skied from the
15th start in the first run and was the only skier after Grange to have
green show up at a split timer, indicating a lead. He exited the course
roughly two thirds of the way down. “I knew I was skiing on the limit,”
he said. “You always say it’s better to ski fast and ski out than to come
out slowly. It’s true, but it still hurts.”
The U.S. was led by Nolan Kasper, 21, with two strong, solid runs.
His result of 15th from the 29th start underscored enormous potential
already evident from his Europa Cup rankings (he leads the slalom
standings and is third overall).
“Kasper has been skiing amazing,” said U.S. coach Sasha Rearick.
“What he showed today was not his best skiing. He showed his best
skiing on the last third of the course both runs, but not at the top. Him
coming down in 15th will help him a lot for his start position on the
World Cup so it is a good thing.”
Minutes after they handed out the medals in the finish area of the last
race of the World Championships it began to snow for the first time at
Garmisch-Partenkirchen in a month.
Jean-Baptiste Grange gets a
lift after his slalom gold.
Jens Byggmark said his silver medal
performance was the best feeling he’s
had in three years.
