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Norwegians dominate first slalom run in Adelboden / Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI - AFP
Norwegians dominate first slalom run in Adelboden
Norwegians Alexander Steen Olsen and Atle Lie McGrath took command of the slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland, with the two fastest times in a first run marked by the exit of Olympic champion Clement Noël.
With fog enveloping the top of the course, Steen Olsen, 22, was the fifteenth down the mountain and completed the run in 56.79 seconds, just 0.05sec ahead of his 23-year-old ompatriot McGrath.
Italy's Tommaso Sala was third quickest, finishing 0.23sec behind the leader.
The track is a happy hunting ground for the young Norwegians with victory last year for Lucas Braathen, who retired earlier this season after a dispute with the national federation, ahead of McGrath.
Discipline leader Marco Schwarz is absent after a serious knee injury ended his season in December but the narrow gaps at the top promise a thrilling second round.
Linus Strasser, Manuel Feller, Samuel Kolega and Henrik Kristoffersen all remain in the hunt for the podium, with the top 12 separated by less than one second.
Olympic champion Noel, who was second in the last slalom at Madonna di Campiglio and lies fourth in the discipline standings, crashed at the top of the course after a good first intermediate time.
The second run is scheduled for 1230 GMT.
D.Fischer--BlnAP
