Loic Meillard leads Swiss podium sweep at World Cup giant slalom in Val d'Isere

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Switzerland's Loic Meillard, right, winner of an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom event, poses with fellow-countrymen second placed Luca Aerni, second from right, and third placed Marco Odermatt, in Val d'Isere, France, Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Switzerland's Loic Meillard reacts after completing an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom event, in Val d'Isere, France, Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta) — Switzerland's Loic Meillard, right, winner of an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom event, poses with fellow-countrymen second placed Luca Aerni, second from right, and third placed Marco Odermatt, in Val d'Isere, France, Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

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4:28 AM on Saturday, December 13

The Associated Press

VAL D'ISERE, France (AP) — Swiss skiers Loic Meillard, Luca Aerni and Marco Odermatt swept the podium places in a World Cup giant slalom on Saturday.

Meillard moved up from fifth after the opening run to win by 0.18 seconds ahead of Aerni and 0.33 ahead of Odermatt, the overall World Cup leader.

Timon Haugan finished fourth and first-run leader Stefan Brennsteiner ended up fifth as the racers struggled to find the racing line when the steep Bellevarde course was mostly covered by shade.

It was Meillard’s eighth World Cup victory and first since winning the giant slalom at last season’s finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.

The Swiss team, which also dominated at last season’s world championships, is shaping up as the squad to beat in men’s skiing at the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics.

American racer River Radamus had the fastest second run and finished sixth after placing 21st in the morning run. In a solid day for the U.S. Ski Team, Ryder Sarchett placed a career-best 10th.

A slalom race is scheduled for the Bellevarde on Sunday.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics