Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro was the first skier down the Stelvio here in the Men’s Giant Slalom, and he took full advantage of a clean track. His 1:13:92 was the fastest of the 81 skiers in Run 1, but the best in the world, Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, went off fifth and was a hair behind him at 1:14:87.
Throughout the opening runs, the times kept climbing. Switzerland’s Loic Meillard was third, and the top 10 skiers were all among the first 20 down the hill.
So far, Odermatt is 0-for-3 when it comes to gold medals in these Olympics, outshined by his fellow Swede Franjo von Allmen. But the giant slalom might be Odermatt’s best event, a test of both speed and tehicnical skills.
The skiers are off for Run 2 at 1:30 p.m.