Henrik Kristoffersen (28) impressed and secured a Norwegian podium spot during Madonna di Campiglio’s traditional evening race. Lucas Braathen (22) disappointed in his search for his third win of the season.

– It feels great that I can throw away the foundation that I have laid for myself. We’re talking very little time and the consequences in terms of location are enormous. It was unreal there and then, Braathen told VG, as he explained the huge disappointment after finishing in Italy on Thursday night.

He had a brilliant starting point and a clear best time from the first lap. The 22-year-old tennis player also almost won until the final round.

He saw the “green period”, that is, he was in the lead, right up to the last round. According to Braathen, the victory and the podium were lost due to a tactical error.

It was a mistake that he just took his own mantle and was too careful to force the final gate without making a mistake.

Instead, he crossed the finish line in fourth place. Only 27 hundredths separated the Swiss Daniel Yule who won.

– It’s so unlike me to do it that way. Cowardice, simply put, is Braathen’s judgment of his own driving.

Barely behind the winner

Awakening came for the most experienced of them. Henrik Kristoffersen had a best starting point of fifth from the first lap, but ended up moving up three places in the second.

Kristoffersen thus continued his strong start to the season. He is now on the books with four podium places so far in six tries in the slalom and giant slalom.

The 28-year-old racer from Rælingen explained that Thursday’s race was a sign that the season was about to get better.

Due to the season of the year, Kristoffersen has changed the brand of his skis and in the first half was a lot about the skis he owns, he said.

Things didn’t add up, but he takes his hat off to the warrior who made a slight adjustment on the second run.

– Then it felt much better, said Kristoffersen, who had the second best time in the second round of any athlete.

It was still only a poor eight hundredths until the Yule winners and Kristoffersen still had the lead for win ski race in season 2022/2023.

– I always want to win. That’s why I’m doing this here. Winning at the highest level is the coolest thing ever. Many wanted more and of course I wish there were three wins instead of three second places.

– But we know why, it’s a process, but to be where we are in that process now, not many brands or athletes have done that, says Kristoffersen.

Now the two will get a much-awaited day of rest after their intense competition program in December.

– Tomorrow I go to Norway for the first time since I started matches with the national team in May. Then Christmas in Rælingen with Tonje (the boyfriend) and family. I will relax well, but then I will return to Salzburg on December 27 to train and prepare for the new race.

Braathen also flies home to Oslo on Friday.

– Then I go straight from Gardermoen to Kvitfjell. The family is already waiting there. It will be great. I can barely remember the last time I saw them. It was needed because it had been a long time, said the 22-year-old.