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Henrik the Alpine king
Thursday February 17 2011 09:27 PM
The boys' slalom under the peak of Ještěd was dominated by the Norwegian, Henrik Kristoffersen, who won his second gold in Liberec, to go with his gold from the Giant Slalom on Tuesday. The two-round race for 101 athletes from 38 countries proved disastrous for many favourites. The young Norwegian did not falter, though, and clearly showed who was the best in Alpine disciplines.
Kristoffersen had already demonstrated his outstanding abilities in the first round, where he had the fastest run. However, he had a strong opponent close behind. The Swiss, Anthony Bonvin, was only 0.12 seconds slower.
In the second round, Adrian Sejersted from Norway had a fantastic run, and leaped from ninth to third position. “The course was quite icy and it was really difficult. I did not do well in the first round but the second was much better and now I can say, YES - I've got it.”
Attention was centred on the duel for gold between the two fastest men from the first round, Kristoffersen and Bonvin. The first to run in the second round was the representative of the Swiss flag. He had a great run, finishing 1.5 seconds ahead of the second skier and his fans at the finishing line began to celebrate. They did not admit the possibility that the Norwegian could beat their hero. “Henrik would have to show the run of his life,” said the Swiss coach.
The Norwegian, skiing in great form had an excellent, confident run and proved to everybody who the king of the piste was. He had the fastest time in the second round and with a lead of almost one second took the gold medal. “I feel really great. I felt myself under great pressure at the start as the first round was just a narrow win. However, I told myself that I had to ski as well as I could, focusing only on myself, and it worked!" Bonvin from Switzerland collected silver and had to applauded his opponent. "My best was not enough. Henrik is simply the best of us."
Henrik Kristoffersen, who was supported by his mother from among the fans, believed in his victory before the final run. "I knew that if I did my best and with a bit of luck, I could win. The feeling of standing on the winners' rostrum in the Olympic Village and hearing the Norwegian national anthem was very motivating. I would like to experience that once again."
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