Cormac Comerford finishes 42nd in Giant Slalom at Winter Olympics

Ireland's Cormac Comerford during the Men's Alpine Skiing Super-G earlier in the week. Pic: David Davies/PA Wire.

In his third race of the Olympic Games, Cormac Comerford finished 42nd in the Giant Slalom, posting a combined time of 2:41.75. Racing in Bormio, the Dubliner contested the first of his technical events, recording a time of 1:24.32 on the opening run before clocking 1:17.43 on his second descent.

The race was won by Brazilian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, whose outstanding first run gave him a commanding advantage. He claimed gold in a winning time of 2:25.00, pushing a trio of Swiss skiers down the standings. Pre-race favourite Marco Odermatt secured silver, while teammate Loïc Meillard took bronze.

Starting 58th of the 81 competitors, Comerford delivered a strong opening run on the demanding Stelvio course, where the intensity of the track led to a number of non-finishers. Racing aggressively after two speed events earlier in the programme, he recovered well from clipping an arm on the first run and climbed to 46th place heading into the second.

Describing his first run, Comerford said, “I had a couple of technical errors on the right foot. The slope is hanging to the right so the right foot is very important. I didn’t get the purchase on all the turns I wanted. I was just catching a feeling there.

“The conditions are really good out there. There were a couple of bumpy turns but overall, I was surprised with how the slope is holding up.” 

Much happier with his second run, and his overall position, Comerford said, “That’s a nice change from the first run. It was a little less scrappy and more put together, and more comfortable on the skis. I think there was more time to be gained, of course. As racers, we want to get every inch out of it, but I can be satisfied – from 58 to 42, I’ll take it.” 

With the conditions continuously changing throughout the week, and even through the day, the slope itself changed also, “Throughout each event, it changed a lot. For the downhill, they had fresh snow and they watered it a bit so that it was compact, solid, not super ice, nice to ski on.

“For the Super G, they injected the bottom half here, so it was really solid and really good conditions for all of the guys running here. For the Giant Slalom, they watered it again, so it was extra hard, really nice and compact. The first run was really nice condition – I was surprised with how well it held up.

“Now with the rain coming in this afternoon, it’s a little bit more shattered and bumpy. They’ve done a really good job with the slope actually, it’s nice to see. It’s good for all the athletes to have it more fair.” 

Comerford now switches his focus to his final event next Monday, the Slalom, his preferred event of the Games.

 “At the start of the season, I set my goals; and the goal was to compete in all four disciplines and get a top 30 in the slalom. My points are much better in the slalom, so I should have a better starting bib.

“I’m feeling good, I haven’t done a huge amount, but I’ve kept up enough training to feel confident enough. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a push, still. I’m gunning for it – and it’s the last event. I’ve been able to keep my focus. It’s been kind of a good thing to have that right at the end. I’ve been topped up, got the energy and the adrenalin and the focus up all day.” 

Tomorrow Anabelle Zurbay opens her Olympic campaign, with the younger skier competing in the Women’s Giant Slalom event in Cortina.