Austria's Haaser claims surprise GS world champion, Odermatt fourth
Raphael Haaser claimed a stunning giant slalom world title for hosts Austria on Friday to end Switzerland's golden run in the men's events and leave only fourth place for top favourite Marco Odermatt.
A week after getting super-g silver, Haaser stormed from fifth after the first run to his biggest career success ahead of three Swiss skiers.
Thomas Tumler climbed from sixth to a surprise silver, .23 of a second back. Loic Meillard took bronze, seven-hundredths ahead of defending and Olympic champion Odermatt.
The Swiss had won all previous three men's events in Saalbach from Odermatt in the super-g, Franjo von Allmen in the downhill and Von Allmen/Meillard in the team combined.
Haaser delights Austria
Haaser, who had never won a World Cup race or made a giant slalom podium before, gave the home team a second gold, following Stephanie Venier's success in the women's super-g.
He had missed several weeks this season with a knee injury before returning in time for the worlds.
"It is unbelievable. I have never been top in a World Cup race, and now at the home worlds - and in giant slalom where I have sometimes been annoyed," Haaser told Austrian bvroadcasters ORF.
"I told myself that I have nothing to lose. All that counts is first, second, third. I gave my best."
Odermatt, Haugan pay for mistakes
Odermatt added super-g gold last week to his 2023 titles in giant slalom and downhill, but now missed the podium for the second time when he dropped from third to fourth, after coming fifth in the downhill.
Odermatt had a big mistake in thje upper part of the second run, just like first run leader Timon Haugan of Norway who faded to seventh.
"I was happy with the first run. In the second I tried to push but made a huger mistake. But it would have been difficult to win because Raphael had a great run," Odermatt told Eurosport.
Haugan said: "It is tough to start with a big mistake. It was still possible but maybe I didn't believe in it. I was never in this position before (as first run leader)."
Another record beckons for Shiffrin
The Saalbach championships continue on Saturday with the women's slalom where American star Mikaela Shiffrin eyes a record 16th overall medal after getting combined team gold on Tuesday togetherr with Breezy Johnson.
Shiffrin has medalled in her pet event at the last six worlds with four golds, a silver and a bronze, but the winner of 99 World Cup events has only had two races since returning from an abdominal injury she sustained in late November.
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