Slalom Men, Run 1, Val d'Isère, France, 2019

This morning I had the chance to watch 2019–20 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, men's slalom to be more precise. The event is taking place in Val d'Isère, France these days. Men's slalom should have been yesterday but it was postponed yesterday due to bad weather conditions. It was a snow storm with strong wind that made it impossible to compete. The organizers have decided to postpone another event scheduled for today and hold the slalom instead. Unfortunately TV broadcasting plays a big role in deciding when to hold an event.

While I understand the need to match the schedule as people should see these events and let's not forget there's big money in this business, I fail to understand why can't they just keep the event, record it and air it when possible. Anyway, I'm too small for this, so let's get to the point.

Today I got the chance to see how the slope is prepared for the race. After the storm, there was plenty of snow on the slope that had to be removes as fresh snow is not good, plus there was also ice that is dangerous. You can't compete on a bumpy, icy slope.

There were 70 skiers on the first run and the race was pretty interesting, even colorful I would say. At the beginning we got to see some pretty good performances, then at the middle everything has changed. Skiers started to make mistakes and we got to see quite a few get disqualified for stepping on poles or gates (same thing), others for missing poles or gates. The commentator said Val d'Isère is a very difficult slope as the gates are very close to each other, you don't have time to relax between them, that's why so many mistakes.

The problem at events like this is that the first skiers got to ski on a perfect slope, snow is perfectly arranged. After that, the more skiers use the slope, the more channels are formed and that can be not only an impediment but also dangerous. This detail probably made the last ones slower or caused them to make mistakes.

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French skiers had a very bad day today. They were home, should have been the best but the pressure must have been too high for some. Pinturault Alexis came first in Run 1, MUFFAT-JEANDET Victor is on 14th and four others were disqualified for reasons I've mentioned earlier. This must have been painful for them. Competing at home in front of your own supporters is an honor, plus you have the advantage to know the slope and then this happens.

The biggest surprise was the American Luke Winters, who took the start as the 40th and came second in the first run. Must have been twice as difficult for him to get that result as of the quality of the slope, but he did it anyway.

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There were three Russian skiers representing Russia, although Russia is basically banned from every international event. For some reason these skiers got to participate today. Maybe they are allowed till the appeal is dealt with. They won't win the appeal that's for sure.