Filip Zubcic writes history in Niigata Yuzawa Naeba (JPN), claiming his first-ever World Cup victory thanks to a phenomenal second run. Zubcic was sitting in 12th position after run 1 and clocked the fastest time in run 2, taking a spectacular victory in Naeba.
It's a historic day for Croatia, as Zubcic's victory marks the first Croatian World Cup victory outside the Kostelic family, the first one ever in Giant Slalom among the men.
"I am very proud to be the first Croatian man to win a World Cup Giant Slalom race. I was always hoping to win a World Cup race and I knew it could come this season as I have been skiing really fast lately. This victory is for my family and my team, who have been supporting me for the last 21 years!", said Zubcic.
Marco Odermatt, third after the first run, was one of the few who managed to stay in the top positions despite the rough course and celebrates today his second podium this season (+0.74s) after the Super G victory in Beaver Creek. The Swiss skier shows to be fully recovered after his knee injury in Alta Badia in December, which kept him far from competitions for around one month.
Tommy Ford also performs a significant comeback and closes in third (+1.07s), sealing his second career podium after winning the home race in Beaver Creek in December.
