Naeba Yuzawa (Japan) – Skiing: Pinturault Faivre and make a pair at Giant Yuzawa Naeba – L’Express

Become again the little blond prince Pinturault, 24, had led the charge of the historic treble combined on 22 January in Kitzbühel (Austria), before Victor Muffat-Jeandet and Thomas Mermillod Blondin.

Yuzawa Naeba, where the World Cup did not return for 41 years, the Courchevellois, second after the first run to 52 / 100th of the German fritz dopfer was sparkling on the second course and softened by snow spring temperature (about 10 ° C).

Impeccable in the wall, took Savoyard speed diagonally leading to the last dish. He preceded Faivre 51 / 100th, while veteran returning and Italian Massimiliano Blardone was third with 67 / 100th.

“ It was a difficult race, especially in the second race, a balance between attack and control. Some doors had been placed on the bumps “, has noticed the winner, his 30th podium in the world Cup.

“ This is the first time here. It’s not Adelboden (reference giant, Switzerland), but it is a very good track for the World Cup “, he added.

– Hirscher in trouble –

Dopfer -Finally seventh at 1 sec 45 / 100- was not the only one to lose on the second plot. Master giant this season (three wins), the Austrian Marcel Hirscher dropped from the provisional third spot in the first run in the sixth final (+1.31), its worst result in the specialty for three years.

If it has lost some points in the race for the big globe facing the young Henrik Kristoffersen, the Salzburger guard still on course, with 124 points ahead before the slalom Sunday, the Norwegian is the Favourite.

The French domination was reinforced by fifth-Jeandet Victor Muffat (+0.91), which remained on three podiums in giant.

With the new year, Pinturault left behind a disastrous start to the season between track outputs and a heavy fall in giant in Beaver Creek (Eats States).

“ It’s hard, especially when it is skiing fast and I feel that there is some destiny that persists “, had sorry the Savoyard December 13 in Val d’Isere, after a power pole on the slope had hampered his race to a potential podium in slalom.

Party to play up the standings, the Savoyard had returned temporarily in line. But it’s not in his nature.

– Pure giant slalom racers –

With cancellations in Adelboden and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany), the pure giant slalom racers had not felt the adrenaline of the competition for 55 days and proof of Alta Badia (Italy), won by 20 December Hirscher. This was particularly true of Faivre and Blardone.

We knew that Azuréen, 24 and junior world champion in 2010, had many facilities. But since a fourth place December 8, 2013 in Beaver Creek, the Nice skier expecting her first podium on the main circuit.

“ I’ve had a good season with a lot of + Top 10+. I got closer to the podium, I finally want ,” said Faivre, relieved.

In 12 years, he has accumulated 25 Blardone giant podiums, seven wins. But of Naeba, 36 and a half years, “ is a final gift to my two children, my wife ,” said the Piedmontese participating in his final season.

The champion will Domodossola waited almost four years to adapt to the new dimensions of the giant skis and back, perhaps one last time on the “ can ” .