Unprecedented French skier Paco Rassat secured his maiden World Cup triumph on Saturday in Gurgl, Austria, clinching the second slalom of the Olympic season with an impressive second run. This victory followed his recent career-best performance, finishing sixth in the season opener in Levi, Finland.
Expressing his disbelief, Rassat mentioned to Austrian TV, “I never thought this could happen.” His breakthrough win comes at a crucial time, less than three months before the Milan Cortina Winter Games, as he aims to qualify for the Olympics by excelling in the World Cup races.
Competing in chilly but sunny conditions in the Austrian Alps, Rassat stood 14th after the initial run but delivered a stellar second run, finishing 0.07 seconds ahead of Armand Marchant, who secured Belgium’s first-ever Alpine skiing podium in the World Cup. Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath, the first-run leader, slipped to third, trailing Rassat by 0.09 seconds.
Overjoyed by his achievement, Rassat exclaimed, “This is incredible.” He dominated the final run, clocking in 0.27 seconds faster than any other competitor. The 27-year-old, son of a ski instructor, began skiing at a young age and specializes in slalom. His debut on the World Cup circuit was in January 2022, and he achieved his first top-10 finish three years later in Wengen, Switzerland.
Sharing his joy, Rassat emphasized the significance of his parents’ presence at the race, stating, “My dad was my first coach, and my mother was also involved with the club, so this is a special day for us, and I’m thrilled to share it with them.” Following his victory, he ascended to the top of both the slalom and overall standings after three events.
While Marco Odermatt, a four-time overall champion, claimed victory in the season-opening giant slalom, he does not compete in slaloms. Finnish talent Eduard Hallberg, who secured Finland’s first World Cup podium in nearly 18 years in Levi, failed to maintain his position, while Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who made history by winning Brazil’s first Alpine skiing World Cup event, finished in 10th place.
The men’s World Cup action will continue with a super-G race in Copper Mountain, Colorado, following the women’s slalom on the same hill scheduled for Sunday.