It was a race that grew up many if's buts and whatever's and Ramon Zenhaeusern emerged victorious in the last race before the World Championships. Greece's AJ Ginnis took second with Daniel Yule finishing in third. The top five were completed by Norway's Atle Lie McGrath and the World Champion, Sebastian Foss-Solevaag. Britains Laurie Taylor placed 23rd.
The perfect combination of sunny weather and hard, well prepared snow set the scene for some stunning racing. A tight gap of 1.67 seconds meant that qualification for the second run was all or nothing. Laurie Taylor did fantastically well to battle into the second run on what was as good as a home race for him. Taylor had grown up training in Les Houches when he was part of the British Ski Academy.
The big story from the second run was the performance of Greek (yes you read that correctly), AJ Ginnis. Ginnis used to race for the US Ski Team but lost his spot and then moved across to race for the country of his father. Ginnis was in 23rd after the first run yet produced a devastating second run to grab the lead and stay there.
With many racers with one eye on the World Championships, whether that was selection or racing there, the focus may not have been quite right. With the Austrian team being one with still two places up for grabs, it was a surprise to see the likes of Marco Schwarz and Michale Matt not making the second run qualification. Schwarz is already named but Matt may have a wait to find out if he has done enough.
Taylor got the second run off to a start with a solid run but with too many small errors rot really puts in a statement run. Points on the board are what it is all about and Taylor will reap the benefits in the long run.
Following Taylor was Manuel Feller, the other already selected Austrian and maybe this may have spooked Taylor. One thing is for sure is that Taylor (and Major) are both stepping up and demonstrating that they deserve to be playing at the top table even UK Sport do not believe that are worth funding.
Britain currently sit in 13th in the World Cup Nations standings with points having been scored by Ryding, Taylor, Major and Charlie Guest. If the hopes of Britain being a top five nation by 2030 are to be realised then there needs to be funding whether UK Sport or GB Snowsport secure this, does not matter but the athletes cannot be relied on to provide this. They are athletes not business people but are being asked by the suits to be both. If they were not getting the results on the snow they would be dropped yet the suits seem to be oblivious of their role.
Ryding, who had scored points in every round of the World Cup this season sadly took one gate near the top a millimetre too tight and his race was run as he straddled. He was not the only one to crash out on the second run as he was joined by Clement Noel, Henrik Kristoffersen and Loic Meillard from the major seeds and Ryding drops to 11th in the race for the Slalom Globe.
Zenhaeusern, now the only racer to have scored in every round, moves up to fourth, Kristoffersen drops to third, Yule moves up to two and Braathen, not racing as he had his appendix removed last week, still remains at the top in the slalom standings. major is in 44th with Taylor in 45th now one point back.
Full results
Pictures Zoom Agence
If you enjoy reading this article and would like to read reports from the World Championships, please subscribe https://www.racer-ready.co.uk/join_us - it costs £20 a year!