0:00:56 > 0:01:04Welcome to Ski Sunday.
0:01:05 > 0:01:13This small down dates back to the. It was built around farming in the
0:01:13 > 0:01:17surrounding hills, Schladming.With a population of 7,000 friendly
0:01:17 > 0:01:26localsHello.This rustic town is filled with Austrian charm. But once
0:01:26 > 0:01:32a year, when the sun goes down, it all changes.
0:01:34 > 0:01:40Welcome to the mayhem.
0:01:51 > 0:01:58The noise levels are deafening. Flawless.Puts his foot to the floor
0:01:58 > 0:02:04and races away, blazing a really smart trail here.Turning it on
0:02:04 > 0:02:11again tonight. Lightning fast finish.Welcome to Ski Sunday and a
0:02:11 > 0:02:16very lively Schladming for a race like no other. It's the night
0:02:16 > 0:02:17slalom.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19The Planai piste is intimidating enough,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22but throw in the floodlights, the flares and the 50,000 fans here
0:02:22 > 0:02:25for a party, and it truly is an assault on the senses.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27But the fans aren't just here for the party.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30They're here to watch their hero, Marcel Hirscher.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32They'll expect nothing less than victory.
0:02:32 > 0:02:39But last weekend proved the Austrian is beatable.
0:02:39 > 0:02:49149:46. He toes it by.97 of a second. Chrysanthemum Stouffer son
0:02:49 > 0:02:51takes the win here.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53It's all set up for a great race.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Later in the programme, we'll be hearing from the dominant
0:02:57 > 0:02:58force in women's slalom, Michaela Shiffrin.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01The American is not just content with ruling in the technical events,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05she's now ruffling feathers in the speed disciplines.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08And we've got a behind-the-scenes report from the GB Park and Pipe
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Squad's training camp in Motolino, Italy.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15It's their base for the winter, and home for their secret weapon
0:03:15 > 0:03:23as they prepare for the Olympics next month.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30Bag's so soft. You can literally send whatever you want. It's like a
0:03:30 > 0:03:34giant bouncy castle for adults. Three days on it so far. Learnt six
0:03:34 > 0:03:37new tricks personally. I know everybody else has learnt about the
0:03:37 > 0:03:52same. It's, honestly, game-changer I'm starting to get really excited.
0:03:52 > 0:03:59First, the racing from Schladming. He's been astrongishing form.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04Despite that, he's closing in on the record for the most World Cup
0:04:04 > 0:04:07victories by an Austrian. He's making a strong claim to be regarded
0:04:07 > 0:04:11as the greatest of all time. Graham's been doing his best to put
0:04:11 > 0:04:19what the Austrian's doing in context.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24context. Marcel hump is one win away from becoming the most successful
0:04:24 > 0:04:31Austrian racer of all time. He's still a way off I thinker stepMark's
0:04:31 > 0:04:36record of 86 but is nailed down to win seven overall crystal globes
0:04:36 > 0:04:42this year. That gives argument to him being the greatest ski racer of
0:04:42 > 0:04:51all time. You didn't hear that. COMMENTATOR:A debut win in giant
0:04:51 > 0:05:01slam Lom for Marcel harsh he will. He is the man of the moment.
0:05:03 > 0:05:10Hirscher is home.Is he the best male skier of all time?Yeah, for
0:05:10 > 0:05:13me, six overall titles. Barely trained in the summer and he still
0:05:13 > 0:05:18kicks my ass, if I'm allowed to say that.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23COMMENTATOR:Hirscher still in front. On a mission here.What makes
0:05:23 > 0:05:30Hirscher so special?His talent and his motivation. He has power and
0:05:30 > 0:05:36self-confidence and, altogether, that's it. What makes Marcel
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Hirscher great. COMMENTATOR:He's going for the lead
0:05:39 > 0:05:45in Val d'Isere. He's got it. This could be World Cup win number 52 on
0:05:45 > 0:05:55the greatest of all time. Hirscher wins in Abel Boden.He's the
0:05:55 > 0:06:01complete skier, the most perfect skier. Because, the level in every
0:06:01 > 0:06:08sport is increasing with every year. So, I think, yeah, I don't know if
0:06:08 > 0:06:15he's the greatest but I think he's the completest skier of all time.He
0:06:15 > 0:06:24it's hard to compare the ski racers. Her men Maier did downhill and
0:06:24 > 0:06:30Marcel's doing slalom. I'd say, for the moment, he's the greatest. But,
0:06:30 > 0:06:36of all time, hard to compare one of the greatest of all time.Hirscher
0:06:36 > 0:06:41is in incredible form. It is almost more impressive when you consider
0:06:41 > 0:06:44he's coming back from that broken leg in August. Do you think it
0:06:44 > 0:06:49counts as one of the greatest comebacks in skiing?Perhaps in any
0:06:49 > 0:06:53sport. He was well off the pace in his first race. The next few weeks
0:06:53 > 0:06:57he worked so hard. He's got to a level where he's virtually
0:06:57 > 0:07:01unbeatable in the technical disciplines.Virtually but Chris
0:07:01 > 0:07:06toff Seb got the better of him in Kitzbuhel last weekend. Has he found
0:07:06 > 0:07:15his stride?Chris Stouffer accept found his form slowly. He missed out
0:07:15 > 0:07:19by a few hundredses to quicher in Zagreb. Kicked the advertising
0:07:19 > 0:07:27hoardings. But Chris toff accept got his first win last week.Finding
0:07:27 > 0:07:30form just before the games. We have to talk about Dave. I asked you
0:07:30 > 0:07:34whether you were disappointed with his results this season. You were
0:07:34 > 0:07:41still really positive. Since then, 12th in Adelboden. A did not finish
0:07:41 > 0:07:44in Wengen. Ninth in Kitzbuhel. How do you feel looking at those
0:07:44 > 0:07:49results?He's established himself as a top ten skier. He's technically
0:07:49 > 0:07:53improved but also taking more risks. That's why we've seen a couple of
0:07:53 > 0:08:01DNFs. But, on the positive side, he's one runs. Won the first in
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Levi, the opener, and second in Kitzbuhel last weekend.All he has
0:08:04 > 0:08:07to do is put those together together. What about the rest of
0:08:07 > 0:08:13field? Who will push?It has to be the younger brother of the Olympic
0:08:13 > 0:08:18champion Mario Matt. He beat Hirscher into silver in Sochi four
0:08:18 > 0:08:22years ago. Mario's retired but Michael's appeared on the scene and
0:08:22 > 0:08:27is in great form. Would have been on the podium in Kitzbuhel had it not
0:08:27 > 0:08:31been a schoolboy error going the wrong way into a flush. He'll want
0:08:31 > 0:08:36to correct that in Schladming.The Austrians won't care who's on top of
0:08:36 > 0:08:40the podium, they just want a home winner. Chris toff Seb has been
0:08:40 > 0:08:45known to spoil the party. Schladming is over two runs. Only the fastest
0:08:45 > 0:08:5330 get to race again. Here's the best of the action from Run 1.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Schladming comes to life on race night. It is cold and clear. The ice
0:08:57 > 0:09:02is shimmering under floodlights. Conditions are perfect for what is
0:09:02 > 0:09:07always a special night in the Austrian sporting calendar.Henrik
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Chris toff accept finished on the podium in all his slalom races this
0:09:11 > 0:09:18season. He had his first victory of the season on Sunday afternoon.
0:09:18 > 0:09:19Aggressive.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22the season on Sunday afternoon. Aggressive. Charging at the top few
0:09:22 > 0:09:32turns. He's got the early green over Manfred. The 23-year-old Norwegian.
0:09:32 > 0:09:3815 World Cup slalom wins to his name now.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42now. Skiing beautifully, Henrik. Really easy and relaxed over his
0:09:42 > 0:09:47skis. Really tight on the turns. Taking a risk. And flowing from edge
0:09:47 > 0:09:55to edge. Now he's got the acceleration. Opening up a decent
0:09:55 > 0:09:58lead over Manfred. Stretching his advantage through just about every
0:09:58 > 0:10:03turn.
0:10:06 > 0:10:15turn. Chris Stouffer Seb looked in total control.
0:10:15 > 0:10:24total control.Staff an owe Gross next. 11th on Sunday in Kitzbuhel.
0:10:24 > 0:10:297th in Wengen, consistency's kept him in the top group of seven who
0:10:29 > 0:10:35draw those first seven starting numbers.
0:10:35 > 0:10:41numbers. Gross with number 3 today. .37 off the pace of Chris toff
0:10:41 > 0:10:49accept. Just missed the medals in Sochi. Fourth last time around. He
0:10:49 > 0:10:53will be heading to Pyeongchang hoping to improve upon that and win
0:10:53 > 0:11:01a medal in the Olympic slalom. His only discipline.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08only discipline. Gross can't match the pace. He's gone second. There's
0:11:08 > 0:11:15his dad Ferdinand. Got a new jacket, Ferdinand. Used to wear this scruffy
0:11:15 > 0:11:20old jacket. It was filthy. Glad they found him a new one. The World Cup
0:11:20 > 0:11:24leader, Marcel Hirscher. One of the greatest of all time. Hirscher looks
0:11:24 > 0:11:31smooth at the start. Really relaxed over his skis. Slightly back-seated
0:11:31 > 0:11:35but that's the Marcel Hirscher trademark style. Really low over
0:11:35 > 0:11:42those slalom skis. Making light work of this Schladming course so far.
0:11:42 > 0:11:48The Olympic silver medallist from four years ago in Sochi. .19 in
0:11:48 > 0:11:55front. One of the greatest Austrian sportsmen of all time, Marcel
0:11:55 > 0:12:01Hirscher. 28 years old. Still got potentially four or five years at
0:12:01 > 0:12:06the very top ahead of him. Broke his leg in August, would you believe?
0:12:06 > 0:12:13Here he is skiing for the lead in Schladming. Two tenths. That's what
0:12:13 > 0:12:19they came to see.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24they came to see. Elvis is in the house! Let's see what Ryding,
0:12:24 > 0:12:30produce. Dave Ryding from Great Britain. Had improving results over
0:12:30 > 0:12:36the years in Schladming. On this course, he's finished 28th, 16th and
0:12:36 > 0:12:4010th in the last three visits to the Planai. Heading in the right
0:12:40 > 0:12:46direction. He's quicker compared to Hirscher than most have been at the
0:12:46 > 0:12:50first inter immediate. Within four tenths of our leader. Just over a
0:12:50 > 0:12:57second now. Can't afford any mistakes. On to the steep now.
0:12:57 > 0:13:03Riding, skiing a good clean line. Tidy turns. That from the
0:13:03 > 0:13:0631-year-old who, remember, didn't train on snow until he was 12 years
0:13:06 > 0:13:13old. 1.3. Keeping himself in touch. Top eight still possible here for
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Ryding. That would give himself a serious chance heading into the
0:13:17 > 0:13:26second run. 11th in the end. 2.02. Riding finished run 1 in 12th and is
0:13:26 > 0:13:33unlikely to challenge for the win. British fans can take heart from
0:13:33 > 0:13:38Daniel Uule's sport. He continued his great form to finish sixth. The
0:13:38 > 0:13:43Austrians were well represented with four racers in the top ten.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47Christian Hirsch bull lies nine. Michael Matt might even be a touch
0:13:47 > 0:13:52disappointed with fifth. Just ahead in fourth is man fathered of Italy
0:13:52 > 0:13:59who took vans of skiing in bib one in an error-free run. The Planai
0:13:59 > 0:14:06claimed remarkably few victims in run 1. But the icy steep refused to
0:14:06 > 0:14:11be beaten climbing back up to finish the course 17 seconds behind
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Hirscher. The 39-year-old is the oldest racer in the World Cup. This
0:14:15 > 0:14:22had all the hallmarks of a farewell run in Schladming. Hirscher leads
0:14:22 > 0:14:26by.2 of a second. Dave riding, what's the best he can do from a
0:14:26 > 0:14:30position of joint 12th in the second run?If he has a storming second run
0:14:30 > 0:14:34he could move right up the field. Maybe not on to the podium. That's
0:14:34 > 0:14:38too far to go. Anywhere between fourth and eighth is a great result.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43This is crucial. The ranging points he gets here will determine his
0:14:43 > 0:14:47start position in Pyeongchang. If he can get into the top seven, he'll
0:14:47 > 0:14:50start early in the Olympic Games. There's a lot righting on this?
0:14:50 > 0:14:56Sorry! Looking at Hirscher, 0.2 of a second ahead s this his race to
0:14:56 > 0:15:02lose?No, Kristoffersen loves this. It is a two-horse race between those
0:15:02 > 0:15:07two. The Italians and Matt are too far back. Racing for third.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Kristoffersen will come out hard. He's won here. His favourite hill.
0:15:11 > 0:15:17Up against Hirscher. It will be nail-biting stuff.A long way for
0:15:17 > 0:15:23both Hirscher and Kristoffersen. The races drop in reverse order. Meat
0:15:23 > 0:15:31Chilton is your commentator for the conclusion of night slalom.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53COMMENTATOR:Nothing gained, nothing lost for the 31-year-old. Ryding's
0:15:53 > 0:15:53COMMENTATOR:Nothing gained, nothing lost for the 31-year-old. Ryding's
0:15:53 > 0:16:02recent results, he set the quickest one of the second leg, and still he
0:16:02 > 0:16:04maintains that lead of the second leg, and still he maintains that
0:16:04 > 0:16:09lead-off 0.3 five. Seventh in Zagreb, fourth on New Year's Day in
0:16:09 > 0:16:20Oslo. Ryding approaching the end. Is he still in front? Now he is behind,
0:16:20 > 0:16:250.33 behind. He can finish with a flourish. Dave Ryding, we have seen
0:16:25 > 0:16:32it before, if he can blast is way to the final few turns, he might get
0:16:32 > 0:16:39them. He is fifth. Riding doing well,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41generating speed and acceleration, but not able to get the same
0:16:41 > 0:16:47acceleration at the top, and Time slipped away. A couple of little
0:16:47 > 0:16:55mistakes and he is in fifth. COMMENTATOR:Andre Myhrer, eighth
0:16:55 > 0:17:02after the first run. Seven World Cup slalom wins to his name. None so far
0:17:02 > 0:17:10this season. Skiing the top half well. He starts after the time out,
0:17:10 > 0:17:15meaning the course is in better shape than it was in the previous
0:17:15 > 0:17:21run when the race went down. Myhrer has a massive advantage of 1.0
0:17:21 > 0:17:28three. The lead is for him to take if he can stay on his feet. Through
0:17:28 > 0:17:34the steepest part of the Planai now. A couple of steaks from Andre
0:17:34 > 0:17:40Myhrer, his lead has been whittled down to under half a second, but
0:17:40 > 0:17:47enough, potentially, to steal the lead away from Clement Noel for
0:17:47 > 0:17:53France. Has he done it? He has. Myhrer is first for Sweden.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Next ago is Manuel Feller, the Austrian has carved out a reputation
0:17:57 > 0:18:02in the World Cup for his wild and occasionally reckless style. His
0:18:02 > 0:18:07ability to recover from tricky situations is no accident. He works
0:18:07 > 0:18:11hard on his balance, training on slack lines. Can he find the
0:18:11 > 0:18:18equilibria and between risk and reward to take victory tonight.
0:18:18 > 0:18:25He is seventh after the first run. He has so much support here tonight.
0:18:25 > 0:18:33The youngsters, particularly, relate to Manny Feller. What a start he
0:18:33 > 0:18:43has. At this rate, if Feller stays on his feet, Myhrer's league will be
0:18:43 > 0:18:50short lived. Next, intermediate. Not much now, 9 hundredths of a second
0:18:50 > 0:18:55and a few mistakes coming into Manny Feller's run. Scruffy, you can see
0:18:55 > 0:18:59he is nervous. Look at the scenes surrounding him in Schladming
0:18:59 > 0:19:05tonight.
0:19:05 > 0:19:13tonight. He is 0.23 behind. They are roaring him through every turn. Some
0:19:13 > 0:19:19turns are desperate. Has Feller done enough? Third
0:19:22 > 0:19:25enough? Third stop Myhrer stays in top spot.
0:19:25 > 0:19:31Daniel Yule, six after the first run, 18 hundredths of a second over
0:19:31 > 0:19:37Andre Myhrer.
0:19:37 > 0:19:43Look at this, Daniel Yule is rocking the top turns, beautiful skiing for
0:19:43 > 0:19:52the 24-year-old from Switzerland, full of Scottish heritage. 1:15.90
0:19:52 > 0:19:57three.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00three. 19 hundredths of a second. Into the famously steep midsection
0:20:00 > 0:20:08of the Planai. Yule keeps carving. Is there enough speed to pull it
0:20:08 > 0:20:15back in front? There is. 0.20 nine. Andre Myhrer watching carefully.
0:20:15 > 0:20:24Daniel Yule takes a risk or two, over the final few turns. Can he be
0:20:24 > 0:20:271:45.69, he does by five hundredths of a second. Yule leads in
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Schladming. Daniel Yule has come into a rich
0:20:31 > 0:20:35vein of form in time for the Olympic Games. Really smooth, really clean
0:20:35 > 0:20:44on his edges, and a lot of power in the last part of the course.
0:20:44 > 0:20:52Mic, the 24-year-old has had one World Cup win in his career. -- Mike
0:20:52 > 0:20:59Matt. Goodness me! No! His race ends per maturely.
0:20:59 > 0:21:06The Austrian crowd silenced in the finish area as Michael Matt goes up.
0:21:06 > 0:21:12Only one more Austrian left, which is Marcel Hirscher. They are
0:21:12 > 0:21:18expecting a win from him. Manfred Moelgg is a sporting
0:21:18 > 0:21:22all-rounder, he loves riding his bike, playing golf and football.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Unfortunately for him and his countrymen, the only chance Italy
0:21:25 > 0:21:30have of a World Cup win this season is on the ski slopes. Can he score
0:21:30 > 0:21:36in the slalom tonight? Four to go in Schladming. Manfred
0:21:36 > 0:21:42Moelgg is next.
0:21:44 > 0:21:50Moelgg is next. 25 years old. Daniel Yule is the new leader after the
0:21:50 > 0:22:05first run. Mole through the flats at 0.2 three. Skiing more than anybody
0:22:05 > 0:22:08in the second run. He knows the Planai course intimately. He is
0:22:08 > 0:22:13holding it together, still just in the green for Manfred Moelgg, who
0:22:13 > 0:22:18has three World Cup slalom wins to his name, but nothing for a while,
0:22:18 > 0:22:27no fewer than 20 times on World Cup podiums over the years. 0.12, into
0:22:27 > 0:22:31the red zone for Manfred Moelgg, the Italians still with Stefano Gross to
0:22:31 > 0:22:38come. Can Manfred Moelgg steal the lead away from Daniel Yule? He's
0:22:38 > 0:22:46missed it. He's third. Yule spill leaves for Switzerland.
0:22:46 > 0:22:52Stefano Gross from Italy, third after the first run. Half a second,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54his advantage, more than half a second his advantage over Daniel
0:22:54 > 0:23:01Yule. The 31-year-old Italian gets them sideways. He has done it again.
0:23:01 > 0:23:07This is a shaky start for Stefano Gross. His lead has been halved as a
0:23:07 > 0:23:11result of the early mistakes, two in quick succession. He is trying to
0:23:11 > 0:23:24make up for it now, pushing hard as the course becomes steeper. Still
0:23:24 > 0:23:27green, 0.15, over the finish area as Stefano Gross struggles with the
0:23:27 > 0:23:32ruts that are forming. He is getting jumped around. Parts of the middle
0:23:32 > 0:23:40of this course looked like a mogul field here. Stefano Gross in the red
0:23:40 > 0:23:49zone, two tenths. Struggling for balance, struggling for speed.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52balance, struggling for speed. Gross is only fifth. Yule leads the way.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57He will finish on the podium, Daniel Yule.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00In the start up is Henrik Kristoffersen. After a slow start to
0:24:00 > 0:24:08the season, no -- the Norwegian is hitting form. Unsurprisingly, he is
0:24:08 > 0:24:12a self-confessed speed addict, and off the piste, he loves riding dirt
0:24:12 > 0:24:16bikes. Can he opened the throttle in Schladming and leave the others
0:24:16 > 0:24:22trailing in his dust tonight? Racer number 29 out of 30 for the
0:24:22 > 0:24:25second leg, it is Henrik Kristoffersen with a massive
0:24:25 > 0:24:29advantage, more than a second over Daniel Yule. He leads and watches at
0:24:29 > 0:24:34the base of the mountain. Kristoffersen is on his way and
0:24:34 > 0:24:38picking up more time through every turn. A masterclass so far from
0:24:38 > 0:24:45Henrik Kristoffersen. He aims to take this race to the Austrians and
0:24:45 > 0:24:49put the pressure on Marcel Hirscher, who will be the last to ski.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Kristoffersen is just getting quicker, and quicker. One and a half
0:24:53 > 0:24:57seconds almost in front. A few snowballs coming in from spectators
0:24:57 > 0:25:03on the side of the course, aimed to distract Henrik Kristoffersen. It's
0:25:03 > 0:25:12not working. He still has 1.43 seconds over Daniel Yule.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Kristoffersen has won three times in Schladming, and he leaves tonight by
0:25:16 > 0:25:25a massive 1.74 seconds.
0:25:25 > 0:25:31He's unhappy about the snowballs that were thrown, and you can
0:25:31 > 0:25:35understand. That was awful behaviour. That is a brilliant run
0:25:35 > 0:25:42from Henrik Kristoffersen. He is so good at getting his skis
0:25:42 > 0:25:46into a rut and skiing a slightly longer route with his feet, but they
0:25:46 > 0:25:51move so quickly, and he has such great hip angles that he can get his
0:25:51 > 0:25:55centre of mass going as straight as possible down the hill, while his
0:25:55 > 0:25:59feet move so quickly from one side to the other. It is going to be hard
0:25:59 > 0:26:04for here should to beat, but if anyone can do it, Marcel Hirscher
0:26:04 > 0:26:05can. Staring through the clear goggle
0:26:05 > 0:26:11lenses, focusing on the gates. If he wins tonight, he will go level with
0:26:11 > 0:26:17Hermann Meyer on 54. Equal second in the all-time standings. Marcel
0:26:17 > 0:26:25Hirscher way for Austria. Two tenths of a second his lead over Henrik
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Kristoffersen, who waits at the finish line. He put down a storming
0:26:29 > 0:26:35second run. Here show has collect 12 hundredths between the start and
0:26:35 > 0:26:40intermediate number one. Here share is flying. No snowballs to distract
0:26:40 > 0:26:50Marcel Hirscher. He is 17 hundredths in front. From here on in, Henrik
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Kristoffersen found another gear. Marcel Hirscher finds a mistake, but
0:26:54 > 0:26:57he can recover from the worst situations and go on to win these
0:26:57 > 0:27:02World Cup races. He will need some of that now. 0.20 eight. Here sure
0:27:02 > 0:27:10is in front of Kristoffersen come and onto the final pitch.
0:27:10 > 0:27:16Astonishing scenes in Schladming as Marcel Hirscher wins again!
0:27:16 > 0:27:23Austria's 500th World Cup victory! And that's what it means to the
0:27:23 > 0:27:32Austrian fans. Marcel Hirscher equals Hermann Meyer's record. What
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Kristoffersen does with feeling, Marceau here should does with power,
0:27:35 > 0:27:43skiing with a stiffer ski. Jamming on the pressure and absolutely
0:27:43 > 0:27:47generating so much speed. That was a perfect run from Marcel Hirscher.
0:27:47 > 0:27:52No one in Schladming will forget and other historic night for Marcel
0:27:52 > 0:27:57Hirscher, who takes his 54th World Cup win. Henrik Kristoffersen
0:27:57 > 0:27:59finishes second with Daniel Yule making the podium for the second
0:27:59 > 0:28:05World Cup race in a row. Britain's Dave Ryding finished in 12.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10It was a decent second run at the top, but the wheels came off and I
0:28:10 > 0:28:16struggled to the bottom, but I had two Olivers, ninth and 12th, so
0:28:16 > 0:28:22something to build on at least.
0:28:23 > 0:28:29Two podiums in a row.Unbelievable, and to do it in Schladming, the
0:28:29 > 0:28:32Temple of slalom, it is a dream country.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36Maybe the first one was for Switzerland, this one was for Great
0:28:36 > 0:28:44Britain.The second run of yours, such intensity and aggression.I was
0:28:44 > 0:28:4919 hundredths behind Marcel. It was a good run, for sure. Pushing it to
0:28:49 > 0:28:54even a new level, or he is pushing it to a new level. It is really
0:28:54 > 0:28:58cool.What a way to equal Hermann Meyer's record, is that something
0:28:58 > 0:29:02that interests you?If you reach the steps, then I am very interested in
0:29:02 > 0:29:09this. Before the steps, it is just talking. But if you are able to
0:29:09 > 0:29:14manage it, and if you reach this, it is something very, very special.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18Marcel Hirscher makes it six wins out of eight races and slalom the
0:29:18 > 0:29:22season.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24And equals Herman Maier's record for Austrian World Cup wins.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Believe it or not, Michaela Shiffrin is even more dominant
0:29:27 > 0:29:30on the women's tour in the technical races.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33So much so that she's looking beyond slalom and GS
0:29:33 > 0:29:34and is challenging herself in speed.
0:29:34 > 0:29:39Chemmy Alcott has been talking to her.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44Most athletes aim to peak for the Olympics, but this season, it feels
0:29:44 > 0:29:48like every weekend, you have been on top form, how do you sustain that
0:29:48 > 0:29:56performance?Right out of the gate! Top question, we are ready to go!
0:29:56 > 0:30:03She wins by a mile!Brilliant skiing by Mikaela Shiffrin!Shiffrin in a
0:30:03 > 0:30:06different league!The champion of the world!I have been working
0:30:06 > 0:30:10towards this my entire career, two summers ago I started to switch
0:30:10 > 0:30:14things up and did a bit more heavy strength work outs to prepare.
0:30:14 > 0:30:22In speed. It's a really good combination to prepare for tech, but
0:30:22 > 0:30:25also speed when you have to withstand those forces.The old
0:30:25 > 0:30:28school of thought was for speed you need muscle density and be heavy,
0:30:28 > 0:30:33and for tech you need to be agile. It helps with speed to have more
0:30:33 > 0:30:39density, but the biggest thing for speed is to master the hill, and the
0:30:39 > 0:30:44sections of a turn where you can gain speed. If you look at Lindsey
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Vonn when she is really on her game and she makes a single turn and
0:30:47 > 0:30:51slingshot out of it, that's what I'm talking about. You are not just
0:30:51 > 0:30:56biding down the hill, you are making speed. The only way to do that is to
0:30:56 > 0:31:00have strength, but also to understand how the forces work.
0:31:00 > 0:31:06She has won.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10You Fawked about Lindsey being in the same team as her. Does she give
0:31:10 > 0:31:13you tips even though are you a threat to her on downhill now?I
0:31:13 > 0:31:18don't feel like it's my place to ask her. We're team-mates but
0:31:18 > 0:31:21competitors. I'm trying to respect that boundary. If someone were to
0:31:21 > 0:31:27come ask me, how do I win a slalom race? I'd be like, excuse me, figure
0:31:27 > 0:31:32it out yourself! COMMENTATOR: Shriffrin wins the
0:31:32 > 0:31:36Olympic slalom title at 18. Looking forward to the Olympics, the big
0:31:36 > 0:31:41one, the way the programme is, you could come back as the most
0:31:41 > 0:31:45decorated winter female Olympian in an Olympics ever?I could. I could
0:31:45 > 0:31:50also come back with nothing. There are a lot of possibilities there.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55Right now, I'm really excited with how my season has gone. How
0:31:55 > 0:32:01successful it's already Ben and the mindset I have. With my team, we've
0:32:01 > 0:32:05been focussed on every race. On point. When I get to the start gate
0:32:05 > 0:32:12I know what I need to do. If I'm anywhere near full capacity, excited
0:32:12 > 0:32:19aggressive, I'll execute that. It's a really cool place to be.
0:32:19 > 0:32:26At the ESPN X games in Aspen, Izzy Atkinson took a brilliant silver in
0:32:26 > 0:32:29a ski slope tile and raising hopes for further success at the Winter
0:32:29 > 0:32:34Olympics. Her team-mate, James woods won bronze in the ski big air and
0:32:34 > 0:32:40rides in the slope-style final later tonight. In telly mark skiing,
0:32:40 > 0:32:45Jasmine Taylor's had an excellent few days. She's taken two wins and
0:32:45 > 0:32:51three Poked podiums in Vermont, USA. What is it like to get a death
0:32:51 > 0:32:58threat?I do believe that person is genuinely threatening your life.As
0:32:58 > 0:33:03a parent, you find that really difficult to deal with.People want
0:33:03 > 0:33:08to see the redemption. For me, it is not about that.Is there room there
0:33:08 > 0:33:16for an Olympic one?The only colour I really want is gold.Trust in what
0:33:16 > 0:33:21you know not what you feel.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41The fearless are here. The Winter Olympics starts 9th February across
0:33:41 > 0:33:42the BBC.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44The Winter Olympics are very nearly upon us.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47And Team GB's hopes are higher than ever.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50So too is the value of winning a precious medal, both to morale
0:33:50 > 0:33:52and future funding in the sport.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55And this, perhaps, explains a shift in attitude in the Park and Pipe
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Squad, with an emphasis on marginal gains as well as a hint
0:33:58 > 0:34:00of espionage and intelligence.
0:34:00 > 0:34:08Jenny Jones has been in Motolino, Italy, to find out more.
0:34:11 > 0:34:16This is a really exciting day for me. I've come to Motolino to see
0:34:16 > 0:34:20something the British team have been talking about for years but I've
0:34:20 > 0:34:24never really known if it would become a reality. This could be a
0:34:24 > 0:34:29real game changer for British athletes. I'm talking about this...
0:34:29 > 0:34:36This is the latest piece of kit in GB park and pipe's armoury as they
0:34:36 > 0:34:40strive to compete with the best freestyle athletes in the world.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45It's a giant air bag which sits on the landing of a huge kicker here in
0:34:45 > 0:34:50the Motolino snow park. It is the brainchild of GB's head snowboard
0:34:50 > 0:34:56coach.We've had this placed here to train large kicker tricks on to a
0:34:56 > 0:35:00reduced-risk landing. Makes it much safer to land so you don't see as
0:35:00 > 0:35:04much injuries.How much air time do you get?It depends. If you go
0:35:04 > 0:35:08really big, you could get close to 2.8 seconds. Maybe nearly 3 seconds.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12You might have a problem if you get three.We're talking about a big
0:35:12 > 0:35:18jump?Similar to an imOlympic biggie.The sheer scale of this
0:35:18 > 0:35:23project is mind blowing. The air bag is made from around 9,000 square
0:35:23 > 0:35:28metres of material. When fully inflated it is 1.5 metres deep. As
0:35:28 > 0:35:3323 metres wide, it gives the athletes scope to try off axis
0:35:33 > 0:35:37tricks and spin in all different directions without any real danger
0:35:37 > 0:35:43of missing the landing. And it's a massive 60 metres long. That means
0:35:43 > 0:35:49the British athletes can really send their tricks, preparing them for the
0:35:49 > 0:35:52biggest jumps elite competition can throw at them. This is a big
0:35:52 > 0:35:56operation to make this happen. Obviously, in your mind, you're
0:35:56 > 0:35:59thinking, an air bag, put it down, blow it up. But there's so many
0:35:59 > 0:36:04parts to it. Just as impressive as the overall concept is the effort it
0:36:04 > 0:36:09takes to get the air bag into place before the athletes can make use of
0:36:09 > 0:36:14it Hamish coordinates a big team of locals and athletes to gradually get
0:36:14 > 0:36:20the bag into position. You've Rowan, Billy, Mattie holding down the an
0:36:20 > 0:36:27correspondent. Jack digging away, all to make this happen. Its so
0:36:27 > 0:36:30refreshing to see how passionate the athletes are about this project and
0:36:30 > 0:36:35how they've come together to help get if up and running. My excitement
0:36:35 > 0:36:39levels have gone up. Partly because of the gap you have to clear and the
0:36:39 > 0:36:44idea I might actually get to hit the air bag. Now, snow blowers going in?
0:36:44 > 0:36:50They can go in while these guys pull the bottom bit.Once it's all rolled
0:36:50 > 0:36:54out and lowered into place by the piste barbers, it only takes 20
0:36:54 > 0:37:00minutes to fully inflate.
0:37:00 > 0:37:05Before this morning, we've had worse days of setting it up. The first
0:37:05 > 0:37:10four days were hard. At first, I was really intimidated. If you look down
0:37:10 > 0:37:14there and see, it's just a weird thing to be jumping on to. You get
0:37:14 > 0:37:20used to it after a few day, I was fine. Now it's normal.I want to see
0:37:20 > 0:37:26you ascend it. Let's see it.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31He's off.
0:37:40 > 0:37:47How was that? Have you landed every which way?It is ridiculous. The
0:37:47 > 0:37:51bag's so soft you can send whatever you want. It's like a giant bouncy
0:37:51 > 0:37:56castle, but for adults.I've had three days on it so far. Learnt six
0:37:56 > 0:38:00new tricks personally. Everybody else has learnt about the same. It
0:38:00 > 0:38:06is, honestly, a game-changer.After seeing how stoked the athletes were
0:38:06 > 0:38:11on the hill, I wanted to catch up with some of them and Hamish away
0:38:11 > 0:38:15from the mountain after they'd had time to reflect on their first few
0:38:15 > 0:38:19days with the bag to see just how much they think it will benefit
0:38:19 > 0:38:19much they think it will benefit them.
0:38:19 > 0:38:20days with the bag to see just how much they think it will benefit
0:38:20 > 0:38:27them. When did you first see or hear about this kind of air bag?I've
0:38:27 > 0:38:32kind of had drawings and designs on my computer of this style of air bag
0:38:32 > 0:38:38and a few others since about 2008/9. In the end, it only really started
0:38:38 > 0:38:43coming into reality the last 18 months when UK Sport were able to
0:38:43 > 0:38:47support us with an investment into buying it. If you want to get to the
0:38:47 > 0:38:51top in the sport now you need some kind of private training environment
0:38:51 > 0:38:56to allow you the repetition, reduced risk and the level that's required
0:38:56 > 0:39:00to learn these tricks.For us, it's just really great. We don't get as
0:39:00 > 0:39:05much time on the snow as other teams.Exactly.We can use that time
0:39:05 > 0:39:11better by using it with an air bag. Totally.Accelerating our
0:39:11 > 0:39:14progression as skiers and snowboarders.The Olympics is coming
0:39:14 > 0:39:20up. We've all tricks we want to learn but safely as well. It's a
0:39:20 > 0:39:24great opportunity to learn these tricks in a safe environment and get
0:39:24 > 0:39:27a head-start over athletes from other nations. It's such good fun as
0:39:27 > 0:39:33well.It's certainly make a difference for those guys competing
0:39:33 > 0:39:37in Pyeongchang. This is not a replacement for our normal programme
0:39:37 > 0:39:42and training. It is an additive. We need to work harder to include that
0:39:42 > 0:39:46in our training. We need to spend more time on snow working even
0:39:46 > 0:39:52harder to try to reach our goals.If you'd had this facility four years
0:39:52 > 0:39:55ago, what difference do you think it would have made?I think all the
0:39:55 > 0:39:59difference. If we had it four years ago, well, you have the opportunity
0:39:59 > 0:40:05to try anything you wanted. I'm excited for the kids that are four,
0:40:05 > 0:40:10eight, 12 years behind me. There's a lot of junior team I know when they
0:40:10 > 0:40:15get on it, it will be pure madness. I hope I'm here to see it. It will
0:40:15 > 0:40:18be so good.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23I've seen how good it looks and heard from the athletes how much fun
0:40:23 > 0:40:31it is.Now it's time to give it a go.
0:40:34 > 0:40:39Oh, my God, that thing is so fun! Argh, imagine if I had something
0:40:39 > 0:40:45like this when I was competing. I'd have learnt so many tricks, or tried
0:40:45 > 0:40:48to. It's taken them a lot of years to make this happen, the Behrish
0:40:48 > 0:40:57team. I think, all that hard work, it's definitely worth it. Ed, we've
0:40:57 > 0:41:01seen the top GB park and pipe riders go to less competitions.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03The snowboarders didn't go to Dew Tour in December
0:41:03 > 0:41:06because they valued time on the bag over competition.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11Is it a gamble from the team?
0:41:12 > 0:41:17No in 2017 they were all regular top ten finishers. Katie was almost
0:41:17 > 0:41:20nailed on on the podium for most of the events she entered. They could
0:41:20 > 0:41:23always plan for this period to be training rather than competitive.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27That means they can pommish up all of these tricks. I'm pretty
0:41:27 > 0:41:33confident the competitive edge remains.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37remains.It is time for ski social. We've had the heart warming mixture
0:41:37 > 0:41:48of success and failure on snow.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51And particularly dear to me, have been the stunning pictures we've had
0:41:51 > 0:41:53in from our viewers in Scotland,
0:41:53 > 0:41:57where they've had a good dump of snow.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59It's looking really bonny.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03And the Strathearn Snowsport Club have been proving you don't even
0:42:03 > 0:42:06need a resort if the snow falls, getting their mobile ski tow out
0:42:06 > 0:42:08in Comrie for the first time in 25 years.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10We love seeing your pictures, videos and answering your questions
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- even better when they're combined.
0:42:13 > 0:42:18Ben has sent in videos of his boys Ollie and Seb race training
0:42:18 > 0:42:21on dryslope and wants to know if it's possible to emulate
0:42:21 > 0:42:28Dave Ryding and progress from skiing on plastic to the World Cup?
0:42:28 > 0:42:32I think most British alpine skiers will have trained a bit on plastic
0:42:32 > 0:42:36when they were growing up. It is really good for honing that
0:42:36 > 0:42:41competitive instinct all the way through the summer. It is easier now
0:42:41 > 0:42:45because the revolution of calming skis in the year 2,000 mean the
0:42:45 > 0:42:49technique is closer on plastic to snow than it was when we were racing
0:42:49 > 0:42:55and just stomping down the courses.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58Next week, it's our final programme of the series
0:42:58 > 0:43:00and while the action will continue with the Winter Olympics,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02we want to go out on a good note.
0:43:02 > 0:43:03Literally.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Please send in your music suggestions for our closing montage.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Something to go with the highs, lows and laughs from this series.
0:43:09 > 0:43:14It has to be something that matching the highs, lows and laughs from our
0:43:14 > 0:43:24seven programmes. It pits racer against racer. In a one-off for Ski
0:43:24 > 0:43:28Sunday, its presenter v presenter.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30Chemmy's going to be joining us and taking Gra on.
0:43:30 > 0:43:31I'm looking forward to this one.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34We'll also be hearing from the golden girl of the GB
0:43:34 > 0:43:35Park and Pipe Squad, Katie Ormerod.
0:43:35 > 0:43:42See you then.