PyeongChang 2018: Final men’s alpine skiing medals on table

The fifth and final alpine skiing medals for men are at stake on Saturday (17 March), when slalom races take place at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre.

Switzerland’s new golden boy Theo Gmur, however, will not compete for a fourth title in PyeongChang, as a precautionary decision to avoid injury and burnout. That opens the door for reigning world champion Arthur Bauchet. Other reigning world champions to watch are Jeroen Kampschreur and Mac Marcoux.

Sitting

Kampschreur knew he could have medalled in giant slalom the other day. But a “silly reason” for missing the last gate cost him a Paralympic medal. The 18-year-old Dutch skier is the world champion in slalom, and knows he can produce winning times on Saturday —if he avoids the mistakes.

"Tough to take but part of the game,” Kampschreur said after giant slalom. "I still have the medal ceremony from the super combined so that will put a smile on my face. But this is something I have still got to work out."

He is the Paralympic champion in super combined, and it was his slalom run that helped him win that gold. But Norway’s Jesper Pedersen has had the stronger World Cup season to back up his campaign for gold, and the overall crystal globe winner will also challenge. He won his first Paralympic title in Wednesday’s giant slalom. But the USA’s Tyler Walker was not too far from Pedersen – or from his first Paralympic gold after four Games. Expect Walker to come in hungry for a win.

Standing

At 17, Arthur Bauchet can become the youngest athlete in PyeongChang to win a gold medal. The French reigning world champion has been so close, taking three silvers so far in these Paralympics. In the giant slalom, Bauchet final run for a medal ended when he went off course and missed a gate.

Switzerland’s Gmur has won gold over Bauchet in all occasions this week. But his absence makes Bauchet the heavy favourite.

Vision impaired

After a flying start in PyeongChang by winning downhill, Canada’s Mac Marcoux and guide Jack Leitch suffered two Did Not Finish (DNF) results in super combined and super-G. The 2017 slalom world champions have Saturday to bounce back and wrap up these Games on a positive note. Slovakians Jakub Krako and guide Branislav Brozman; and Miroslav Haraus with guide Maros Hudik; and Italy’s Giacomo Bertagnolli and guide Frabrizio Casal each won gold in PyeongChang and are equally in the running for the top prize.

Every competition as well as the Closing Ceremony can be watched live right here on the International Paralympic Committee’s website. Highlights of each day’s action will also be made available.