Alpine Skiingmen's world cup
2020 Getty Images
The slalom last Sunday may have marked a definitive generational change. And the Norwegian phenomenon class 2000 is the only one to be ready in two disciplines.
Monday 6 January 2020 4 minutes reading time
It seemed like the turning point, even if more tests will be needed and the same previous slalom, that of Val d''Isère on a track where experience mattered, how much, he had seen in front of the "old" masters, with Pinturault, Myhrer, Gross and Kristoffersen in front of everyone.
The slalom last Sunday in Zagreb, however, signaled the domineering advance of the standard bearers of that "Generation Z" who, logically in the technical disciplines in the first place, is trying to take the world. The winner, Clément Noel, is a '97 class and is at the fourth pearl in the World Cup: we all know what phenomenon he is talking about, but behind him we have seen, in addition to the "millennial" Zenhaeusern (''92, not certainly an old man), the first podium of a '99 like Alex Vinatzer and, after the highly experienced Myhrer (''83), the '97 Armand Marchant and the 2000 class Lucas Braathen.
Up to the 12th position, where Muffat-Jeandet ('89) was placed, in addition to Myhrer the only other athlete born before the 90s was Manfred Moelgg, the oldest in front with his 37 years and a class still evident.
There is also talk of physical prowess and height, certainly useful on a track like Zagreb (the podium was made up of three "spongungoni"), but Marchant and Braathen themselves escape this rule. And we focus more on the phenomenal Norwegian class 2000, because he is the only athlete of his age (but also of the following classes ...) to be already competitive at the highest level in two disciplines.
Sixth in Soelden in giant (then confirmed in Beaver Creek and Alta Badia), sixth in Zagreb in slalom in his second race in the specialty and with the bib number 48. Braathen is a predestined who, soon, could frighten anyone, considering that short term we could also see it in combination, adapting well to super-g.
And Norway in the meantime has already baked Atle Lie McGrath, today 2nd in the European Cup in Vaujany behind Liberatore, another 2000 class with crystal clear talent. Yes, "Generation Z" has arrived in the white circus.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Social media engagement
Più letti in Sport invernali
Tocca a Freddy continuare la striscia dei fratelli Carrick-Smith: prima vittoria in ANC per il britannico e per Amelia Smart
Australian New Zealand Cup 2026: a Coronet Peak si è tornati finalmente a gareggiare, con lo slalom maschile che vede il classe 2007, vice campione del mondo jr di specialità, precedere nettamente Meissl e Hagen. La specialista canadese anticipa Hoffmann e la solita Butler nella prova femminile. Ora i giganti.
137