Top moments from men's Olympic slalom run 1 in Bormio
The first slalom run in Bormio delivered drama, high-speed precision and a handful of unexpected shifts on the leaderboard. The course proved unforgiving in places and rewarding in others, producing both breakthrough performances and costly mistakes as athletes jostled for position ahead of the second run.
Shock starters and a moving leaderboard
An early starter posted one of the day's fastest times, catching momentum on a hard, fast middle section and forcing later favorites to chase split seconds. That early benchmark shaped tactics for many of the following racers: some skiers attacked the course aggressively to try to match the pace, while others opted for a more conservative approach to protect a chance in the second run.
A handful of established contenders failed to find rhythm, clipping gates or losing edge grip on key turns and dropping out of contention. Conversely, a few less-heralded athletes produced clean, efficient runs that vaulted them into unexpected top-10 positions. The oscillating leaderboard kept attention fixed on Bormio, with the gap between top performances measured in hundredths of seconds.
Technical highlights and course conditions
Run 1 exposed several technical features that separated the quickest skiers from the rest. Skiers who stayed compact through the tight, rhythm-changing gates and who managed a smooth transition into the lower pitch gained the most time. A couple of athletes demonstrated textbook upper-body stability and strong pole plants, enabling sharper edge engagement through the icy patches.
Course conditions played a major role. The surface was firm and slick in several stretches, rewarding racers who committed to aggressive edging without over-rotating. Where the piste chewed out behind earlier racers, later starters faced slightly rougher ruts, elevating the risk of mistakes. A few runs ended with dramatic tumbles where prospectively medal-contending athletes lost grip on exit turns and slid off-line, either plowing through a gate or losing precious momentum.
What to watch in run 2
With margins tight, run 2 promises to be a chess match of start order, course management and mental resilience. Skiers in the middle part of the start list will need to adapt quickly to any further degradation of the piste. Those who posted early fast times will aim to maintain composure and avoid taking unnecessary risks that could drop them down the rankings.
Expect coaches and athletes to scrutinize split times and video to refine line choices—particularly through the lower half of the course where seconds are won and lost. Look for aggressive gate-to-gate transitions and cleaner exits on the final pitch; athletes who find those elements will be best positioned to leap up the standings.
In short, Bormio set the stage for a tense second run: the leaderboard is fluid, the course will not forgive sloppy technique, and small margins will decide who advances to the podium fight. Fans should be prepared for another round of decisive runs where precision, patience and boldness will all be on display.
