Jan. 24, 2017 (SCHLADMING, Austria) – Robby Kelley (Starksboro, VT) was the top American finisher at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom—delighting the crowd by hiking to finish 27th, over 50 seconds off first place.
Over 60,000 wild fans showed up at the night race in Schladming—an annual tradition just two hours down the road from the weekend’s races at Kitzbuehel. Marcel Hirscher of Austria looked like he was going to take his second slalom victory in three days, putting down a blazing second run in front of the home crowd. But Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway, who won first run, was determined to beat Hirscher once again. Kristoffersen fell behind at the middle splits on his second run, exciting the roaring Austrian fans, before turning on the gas at the finish to steal the win. Alexander Khoroshilov of Russia was third—making it the same exact podium at last season’s Schladming slalom.
Kelley, who finished 25th first run, was skiing well on his second run, before falling just before the finish. But taught never to give up by his parents, the Vermont native hiked for almost a minute to complete the course. The crowd went nuts, cheering on the devoted American. “I’m tired—very tired—but it was worth it!” said Kelley. “It was a great feeling to cross the finish line here. This is the best race of the year. I would have liked to be 48 seconds faster than I was, so I’m a little disappointed.”
David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO), who was 11th at the Schladming World Cup last year, did not finish. “Mentally, I’m there,” said Chodounsky. “Something is going on—this is too many DNFs in a row, weird stuff going on that’s not by chance. We’ll fix whatever is going on and be ready for World Champs.”
Mark Engel (Truckee, CA) did not qualify for second run. Hig Roberts (Steamboat Springs, CO), AJ Ginnis (Vouliagmeni, Greece) and Michael Ankeny (Deephaven, MN) did not finish first run.
Next up, the men head to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for two downhills—one a makeup race from Wengen—and a giant slalom.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Robby Kelley was the only American finisher, taking 27th. It was his second time scoring in a slalom this season.
- Henrik Kristoffersen has won five slalom of the eight races this season.
- ROAD TO ASPEN: Kristoffersen’s win ties Marcel Hirscher in the slalom standings, but Hirscher still holds the overall standings by a large margin with Kristoffersen in second.
- Watch the broadcast of the Schladming night slalom on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET.
QUOTES
Robby Kelley
I’m tired—very tired—but it was worth it! It was a great feeling to cross the finish line here. This is the best race of the year. I would have liked to be 48 seconds faster than I was, so I’m a little disappointed.
I hope I would (hike and finish) everywhere, but the reaction here was so good. It was awesome. This is the best crowd in the world. It was nice that they appreciated my effort.
I was going for it. I was happy with my intensity of the bottom—I was really trying to make up some time down there. I had a good bottom split first run, but I couldn’t quite keep up with myself. I got jetted out and as I was sliding—I was thinking ‘please stop so I can hike before I cross the finish line!’ I did stop and was able to hike. I don’t know if I went to the right gate or not—I don’t know how far I slid. I’m happy with the reaction of the crowd. They appreciated what I did and I’m happy for that. It was a nice moment even though I’m pretty disappointed I went out so close to the finish.
I just want to cross the finish line every time I go. I basically always hike. It’s something I’ve always done. My parents told me to never give up, so I wanted to cross that finish line.
David Chodounsky
Mentally, I’m there. I know I’m skiing well. Everything is working. But something is just a little off and we have to go back. We have time now to get a good training block and just tweak something. Fix whatever is happening. Something is going on—this is too many DNFs in a row, weird stuff going on that’s not by chance. We’ll fix whatever is going on and be ready for World Champs.
It’s pretty hard (to keep my head in the game). I usually have not done well in those situations. But I feel like I can actually move on right now and I know I’m skiing well. Race to race in January I’ve had good splits all along. Like I said, mentally it’s not an issue or confidence. I just gotta keep taking that and I know it’s there. One of these races, we’re going to fix whatever’s wrong. That bad luck snap is going to break.
BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAMING (times EST)
Friday, Jan. 27
7:05 a.m. - men's downhill, Garmisch-Partenkirchen - nbcsports.com - LIVE STREAMING
7:00 p.m. - men's downhill, Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Universal HD
Saturday, Jan. 28
6:00 a.m. - men's downhill, Garmisch-Partenkirchen - nbcsports.com - LIVE STREAMING
6:00 a.m. - men's downhill, Garmisch-Partenkirchen - NBCSN
Sunday, Jan. 29
4:15 a.m. - men's giant slalom, run 1, Garmisch-Partenkirchen - nbcsports.com - LIVE STREAMING
7:15 a.m. - men's giant slalom, run 2, Garmisch-Partenkirchen - nbcsports.com - LIVE STREAMING
7:00 a.m. - men's giant slalom, run 2, Garmisch-Partenkirchen - NBCSN
Tuesday, Jan. 31
11:00 a.m. – City Event, Stockholm – nbcsports.com – LIVE
7:00 p.m. – City Event, Stockholm – Universal HD
