Haugan, Kristoffersen, Feller: GEPA photos
Kristoffersen Conquers Kranjska Gora with a Good Second Run
With solely the seven quickest skiers from the primary run left at the beginning, Victor Muffat-Jeandet’s outstanding climb up the standings reached 18 positions, ultimately 20, to complete sixth. Nonetheless, the true battle for victory was about to start. The perfect on the earth had been nonetheless ready to unleash their pace.
Kristoffersen Units the Customary
The primary to assault was Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, recent off his large slalom victory yesterday. The 2-time Kranjska Gora winner delivered a masterful run, snowboarding with whole command and snatching the lead by 0.47 seconds. His time set the bar, however it might face the last word check.
Feller Challenges, however Falls Brief
Subsequent up, Austria’s Manuel Feller, the reigning World Cup slalom champion, matched Kristoffersen’s first-run time however couldn’t match his second-run brilliance. Feller completed 0.23 seconds behind, settling for second place—for now.
Noël and McGrath Unable to Shake Up the Podium
Then got here France’s Clément Noël, the season’s most dominant slalom skier with 4 wins in 2024-25. However at present, he couldn’t discover the magic. His time fell nicely brief, leaving him out of podium rivalry.
Atle Lie McGrath, the World Championship silver medalist, adopted, charging out of the beginning seeking a Norwegian one-two. He attacked the course aggressively, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient. McGrath crossed the road into fifth, unable to shake up the highest three.
Nef and Haugan Lock in a Norwegian Double-Podium
With simply three skiers left, Swiss skier Tanguy Nef was subsequent. The previous Dartmouth Faculty standout was chasing his first-ever World Cup podium, and he skied with focus and depth. However even with an excellent run, he completed behind each Kristoffersen and Feller, transferring into third place for the second.
Kristoffersen was now assured a podium, however the race wasn’t over but.
His teammate Timon Haugan, a two-time slalom winner this season, charged onto the course with the identical dedication that earned him victory twice this winter. He pushed to the restrict however completed 0.17 seconds behind Kristoffersen, slotting into second place and securing a Norwegian double-podium.
Meillard Falls Brief—Kristoffersen Guidelines Kranjska Gora
The whole lot rested on Loïc Meillard, the newly topped slalom World Champion. Chasing his first World Cup victory of the season, he launched down the course with objective, however he couldn’t match the ferocious tempo of the Norwegians and Feller. As he crossed the road 4th, the consequence was official—Kristoffersen had accomplished it!
Kristoffersen Claims Double Victory in Kranjska Gora
With a flawless second run and a masterclass in ski racing, Henrik Kristoffersen cemented his dominance, profitable each the enormous slalom and the slalom in Kranjska Gora. Timon Haugan joined him on the rostrum in second, with Feller in third, claiming his first podium of the season.
As soon as once more, Kristoffersen proved that Kranjska Gora belongs to him.
Click on on photos to enlarge
Kristoffersen on His Historic Double Victory
Henrik Kristoffersen, by no means one to point out a lot emotion, nonetheless acknowledged the magnitude of his achievement after clinching back-to-back wins in Kranjska Gora.
“It was a great second run. I feel I nonetheless tousled the highest and second half somewhat bit, however the backside skied very well, and the center was superb. It was actually tight at present, so I’m fortunate to be on the suitable aspect of the hundredths.”
For Kristoffersen, the victory held particular significance—his first-ever weekend sweep in each large slalom and slalom.
“I’ve been many instances second in GS, first in slalom, first in GS, second in slalom. I’ve additionally gained double weekends in each GS and each in slalom, however by no means in GS and slalom collectively. So this was an enormous aim for me. Very proud of at present and the double from Norway. First time, double Norwegian—not too dangerous.”
Even with out outward celebration, his phrases made it clear—this win meant one thing large.
Haugan on His Breakthrough Efficiency
For Timon Haugan, this podium end in Kranjska Gora wasn’t simply one other robust consequence—it was an enormous leap ahead. His best-ever end on this monitor by a mile, Haugan’s earlier prime consequence right here was twentieth in 2021, making this second-place end even sweeter.
“It was shut, very shut,” Haugan mentioned. “The second run was very troublesome. It’s been an awesome season for us, actually, and it’s the primary double win for Henrik and me with Van Deer, which is basically cool.”
The consequence felt much more particular due to his connection to the venue. “I’ve all the time actually favored Kranjska, so I’m very blissful to get my first podium right here.”
From twentieth to standing on the rostrum, Haugan proved he belongs among the many world’s greatest.
Feller on Combating for the Podium in Kranjska Gora
Manuel Feller needed to battle for each hundredth of a second on his method to his first podium of the season, overcoming a difficult second run that just about resulted in catastrophe.
“My snowboarding—on the primary run, the center half was not that good, however nonetheless a strong run,” Feller admitted. “On the second run, I used to be somewhat bit stunned after I crossed the end line that I used to be solely two-tenths behind, as a result of the primary half was not good.”
The Austrian knew he had pushed the bounds, barely staying heading in the right direction. “I used to be near a DNF on the within ski two instances. I used to be too straight, and for that, it was a very good race. So I’m tremendous blissful for the rostrum.”
Seeing Tanguy Nef end behind him made Feller understand simply how powerful the course had develop into. “When Tanguy was behind me, I believed, ‘OK, perhaps it wasn’t too straightforward to ski.’ I didn’t anticipate Loïc to not advance me. I’m blissful as a result of Loïc is one of the best technical skier proper now.”
Past the competitors, Feller appreciated the second. “The day was wonderful—blue sky, an superior ambiance, an ideal ski day.”
After a grueling begin to the season, Feller’s podium end in Kranjska Gora felt like a well-earned reward.
Muffat-Jeandet Takes Command as Second Run Drama Unfolds
The second run of the Kranjska Gora slalom erupted with depth because the 30 certified racers launched themselves down the demanding course. With the beginning order reversed, the early starters fought to put down a time that would stand up to the onslaught of sooner first-run opponents.
Swiss veteran Luca Aerni was the primary to assault, snowboarding with dedication and setting the preliminary benchmark. His run held up till Kristoffer Jakobsen of Sweden, the fourth racer down, edged him by 0.05 seconds, quickly taking the highest spot.
However the Swedish skier barely had time to savor the lead earlier than France’s Muffat-Jeandet exploded onto the course. With daring turns and glorious timing, he attacked each sector and crossed the road 0.94 seconds sooner, seizing management of the race.
With ten racers down, Muffat-Jeandet led the standings, adopted by Croatia’s Istok Rodes, 0.64 seconds again, and Austria’s Michael Matt, 0.70 behind.
With a commanding lead, Muffat-Jeandet settled into the chief’s chair, sporting his signature lion hat, as skier after skier launched their problem. Every try to unseat him fell brief—for now.
The battle for the rostrum remained vast open, and the true showdown was starting.
Heat Temperatures Add to the Problem as Vinatzer Strikes into Second
The second run battle in Kranjska Gora reached the midway level with fifteen racers down, however the leaderboard remained largely unchanged on the prime.
Hotter temperatures softened the course regardless of its well-prepared salted floor, making delivering a blazing-fast second run more difficult. The grooves deepened, making every flip extra demanding and punishing any hesitation.
Amongst these pushing via the circumstances, Italy’s Alex Vinatzer delivered a robust, aggressive run, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to knock Muffat-Jeandet off the highest. Vinatzer slotted into second place, 0.47 seconds behind the French chief, with half the sphere nonetheless to ski.
With the course getting trickier and the quickest from the primary run but to assault, the battle for victory remained vast open. Each skier left within the competitors is aware of that one daring, well-timed descent may rewrite the standings immediately.
The combat was removed from over.
Muffat-Jeandet Holds Agency because the Closing Six Put together to Strike
With 22 racers down, Muffat-Jeandet’s extraordinary stand up the leaderboard remained intact. Now up 17 positions, the French skier nonetheless managed the race, gripping the chief’s chair because the stress mounted.
Italy’s Alex Vinatzer continued to carry second place, whereas Croatia’s Istok Rodes, who had climbed 12 spots, remained in third.
Austria’s Fabio Gstrein had come agonizingly near taking the lead, chopping into his 1.25-second benefit over Muffat-Jeandet however falling simply 0.11 seconds brief.
Solely six racers remained, every among the many quickest from the primary run. The stakes couldn’t be greater—may Muffat-Jeandet’s cost stand the check, or would the highest contenders ship one thing spectacular?
The whole lot was about to be determined, and now it’s Kranjska Gora’s historical past.
Kristoffersen Completes the Sweep in Kranjska Gora
With a close to flawless second run and a masterclass in ski racing, Henrik Kristoffersen delivered a weekend of dominance, profitable each the enormous slalom and the slalom in Kranjska Gora. Timon Haugan secured second, making certain a Norwegian double-podium, whereas Feller’s third-place end marked his first podium of the season.
From begin to end, the Kranjska Gora slalom was a battle of ability, danger, and unbelievable timing. The course demanded every part, and in the long run, it was Kristoffersen who delivered the right stability of aggression and management. With two wins in two days, he cemented his standing as one of many kings of Kranjska Gora.
The World Cup slalom combat continues, however at present, Norway reigns supreme.
Outcomes:
Click on photos to enlarge
Evaluation of the Quickest Three
