Paco Rassat / GEPA footage
Paco Rassat Claims Adelboden Slalom Victory
What a tremendous slalom race immediately in Adelboden! Paco Rassat took the win, edging out Atle Lie McGrath by simply 0.18 seconds, with Henrik Kristoffersen ending third +0.20. The margins had been razor-thin all through the highest, making for an exhilarating finale on the Chuenisbärgli and an unforgettable showdown for Run 2 and podium positions.
Paco Rassat has been extremely spectacular this season. Coming off a third-place end in Madonna di Campiglio, he was a bit behind on the highest flats in immediately’s Adelboden race, however he kicked into gear, regained his rhythm, and delivered the quickest second run time. His pitch was probably the most spectacular half, the place he was in a position to draw back from the group and preserve his lead with two extra skiers nonetheless to return.
Paco Rassat’s rise within the Alpine Snowboarding World Cup has been something however rushed. Making his World Cup debut in January 2022, his improvement unfolded quietly over a number of seasons, marked by regular progress reasonably than immediate outcomes. His first top-10 end didn’t come till January 2025 in Wengen, and previous to this season he had by no means stood on a World Cup podium.
That gradual climb made his breakthrough all of the extra putting. In November 2025, Rassat opened the season with a sixth-place end in Levi, then surprised the sphere simply six days later by claiming his first profession World Cup victory in Gurgl. At 27, the Frenchman all of the sudden introduced himself on the prime stage, turning years of constant effort into fast success. He has since confirmed that kind with a number of podiums, together with immediately’s win in Adelboden, solidifying a breakthrough season that feels earned reasonably than unintentional.
Reflecting on the win, Rassat stated, “I can’t consider it—I’m so joyful. The ambiance right here is unimaginable, and I wish to give this second to my mother and father. This feels even higher than I ever dreamed.”
High 5 — Adelboden Males’s Slalom
🇫🇷 Paco Rassat — 1:40.85
🇳🇴 Atle Lie McGrath — +0.18
🇳🇴 Henrik Kristoffersen — +0.20
🇧🇷 Lucas Pinheiro Braathen — +0.36
🇦🇹 Manuel Feller — +0.38
McGrath and Kristoffersen: Norwegians Shine on the Podium
Atle Lie McGrath held on to second place, simply 0.18 seconds behind Paco Rassat, including to his spectacular World Cup tally of 19 profession podiums, together with 14 in slalom. After his aggressive push in Run 1, he regarded extra centered on ending clear in Run 2, showing to carry again barely, nevertheless it was nonetheless very sturdy snowboarding. With immediately’s outcome, McGrath strikes as much as third within the general World Cup standings, persevering with to indicate exceptional consistency and ability in one of many tightest and most fun disciplines of the season, the place any of the highest 20 could make a transfer.
“Being solely a pair tenths behind Paco immediately is unimaginable,” McGrath stated. “He skied so properly, and I knew it immediately — you possibly can hear it in the beginning when the French coaches are cheering that loud.”
Henrik Kristoffersen got here in third, a veteran nonetheless trying to find the inexperienced gentle on the end. Recognized for his depth, he attacked from the beginning however misplaced it on the pitch, getting onto his inside foot and struggling by way of a piece that Paco navigated cleanly. Regardless of that, third place provides his 99th World Cup podium and contributes priceless slalom factors for the season, serving to him rebuild after a stretch of outcomes which have been much less constant than he possible anticipated given his previous as final 12 months’s slalom globe winner. It’s a reminder of his aggressive fireplace and skill to remain within the combine on the prime even on difficult days.
“Standing on the Adelboden podium once more means quite a bit,” Kristoffersen stated. “These races come all the way down to hundredths, and immediately was one other reminder of how wonderful the margins are in slalom.”
Second Run Chaos: Lead Adjustments and a Surge from Zenhäusern
The second run turned unstable from the very begin, with the lead swapping repeatedly as skiers pushed the bounds on near-perfect circumstances. Switzerland’s Ramon Zenhäusern introduced a second of order, holding the lead longer than anybody else. Even so, his effort ultimately gave means because the eventual winner posted the quickest second run. Zenhäusern completed fifteenth after charging up 11 positions, protecting the tempo escalating all through. It was incredible to see the Olympic gold medalist again within the chief field, and the Swiss crowd was loving each second.
Manuel Feller additionally had a formidable second run, posting the third-fastest time of the run and transferring up three spots to complete fifth general. After a season of battling consistency, it was nice to see him put down two strong runs and safe a top-five end in Adelboden. Hopefully this efficiency offers him a lift of confidence heading into the subsequent races. And who is aware of—possibly it was the brand new haircut—however both means, it was a powerful displaying from the Austrian.
🇬🇧 Nice Britain
The British staff got here out decided to maneuver up the leaderboard within the second run.
🇬🇧 Dave Ryding — thirteenth Climbed a number of spots within the second run.
🇬🇧 Billy Main — nineteenth Delivered a strong efficiency.
🇬🇧 Laurie Taylor — twenty second Struggled to seek out his rhythm in the beginning, a bit late and behind it.
Though all three improved their positions, they had been nonetheless hoping to climb the leaderboard additional, displaying grit and consistency on a demanding Adelboden course.
Closing Ideas and Subsequent Cease
Slalom continues to be some of the thrilling occasions this winter, with razor-thin margins and intense competitors at each flip. At present’s racing showcased excellent snowboarding and highlighted simply how rapidly the leaderboard can change.
With an early exit within the first run from Timon Haugen, the general slalom standings now shift to Paco Rassat, rewarding his consistency and breakthrough efficiency.
The Individuals have the velocity however are nonetheless trying to convert it into clear race-day runs, whereas the British staff is clearly gaining momentum. If they will put collectively error-free performances, they’ve the potential to climb the rankings in future races.
The following males’s slalom on the World Cup tour is about for Wengen on January 18th, promising one other high-stakes showdown.
Race Outcomes
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Second-Run Evaluation: High Three and British Racers
