Loic Meillard Leads Penultimate World Cup Slalom as Marco Odermatt Secures Fourth Overall Title

Meillard aims for slalom discipline title while Odermatt continues historic dominance in Alpine skiing.

Swiss skier Loic Meillard posted the fastest time in the first run of the season's penultimate World Cup slalom in Hafjell, Norway, leading Lucas Pinheiro Braathen by 0.34 seconds.
Meillard, the reigning slalom world champion, seeks his first slalom World Cup win of the season and remains in contention for the discipline title, which will likely be decided in Sun Valley, Idaho, on March 27.
Marco Odermatt clinched his fourth consecutive overall and giant slalom World Cup titles on Saturday after finishing second in a Swiss podium sweep led by Meillard.
Odermatt, 27, has already secured the super-G title this season and is the favorite to win the downhill title at the World Cup finals next week.
Henrik Kristoffersen, currently leading the slalom standings, finished sixth in the first run and will need a strong second run to maintain his edge in the discipline race.