Haugan Dominates for Victory
A Commanding Win
Norway’s Timon Haugan held onto his first-run result in win the 2024 Alta Badia World Cup Slalom, marking the second slalom victory of his profession. Haugan triumphed with a commanding margin of 1.13 seconds over Swiss standout Loïc Meillard, who moved up six positions through the afternoon with the second-fastest time of the day. Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath secured his third slalom podium of the season, ending third, 1.26 seconds behind his teammate.
“I saved it easy at this time—clear snowboarding, full assault, and focusing solely on the snowboarding, not the outcomes. Profitable feels superb, particularly heading into the vacation break,” Haugan stated.
“Standing on the rostrum is at all times particular, however having Atle (Lie McGrath) up there with me makes it even higher. I’m tremendous stoked and so grateful for this outcome!” Haugan added.
The Quickest 5 Take the Stage
The drama unfolded because the quickest 5 skiers from the primary run tackled the Gran Risa course. First up was World Cup slalom chief Henrik Kristoffersen, who put down a powerful run however completed 0.18 seconds behind Meillard.
A Day of Triumph and Disappointment
French rising star Steven Amiez adopted however slipped and fell on his hip, ending his race prematurely and leaving three skiers firstly. Clément Noël, the winner of the season’s first two slaloms, was subsequent. Though he skied effectively and crossed the road in fourth, he in the end ended the day in sixth as sooner racers adopted.
Haugan Delivers Underneath Strain
Lie McGrath adopted with a superb effort however fell simply quick, ending 0.13 seconds behind Meillard. That left Haugan as the ultimate skier. Underneath strain, he delivered an distinctive efficiency, cementing his place atop the rostrum and solidifying Norway’s dominance within the slalom self-discipline.
“I’m a bit of bit disillusioned in my second run,” stated Lie McGrath, who has now achieved three consecutive top-three slalom finishes for the primary time in his profession. “There’s one thing about realizing you’ve gotten a giant lead after which coming in behind, however I’m nonetheless joyful to be on the rostrum, particularly alongside Timon.”
“I felt like I misplaced a bit of grip and my momentum, particularly on a hill the place carrying pace is so crucial,” Lie McGrath defined. “That’s why I used to be disillusioned—it felt sluggish coming into the end.”
Thrilling Second Run Format
The second run of a World Cup tech occasion delivers unmatched pleasure in ski racing. Solely the highest 30 finishers from the primary run earn a spot within the afternoon finale, making a high-stakes competitors. The beginning order is reversed, with the Thirtieth-fastest skier from the morning operating first and the quickest skier tackling the course final. Whereas the race winner isn’t determined till the ultimate skier crosses the road, the early lead battle and the potential for dramatic strikes up the standings preserve followers on the sting of their seats.
At present, that standout racer was Pinheiro Braathen, the 2023 World Cup slalom champion, returning to competitors after a season away. Snowboarding seventh within the second run, Braathen delivered an distinctive efficiency, setting the quickest time of the afternoon. His effort allowed him to climb 12 positions to complete twelfth, showcasing his potential to compete on the highest degree. Solely Spain’s Joaquim Salarich, beginning with bib 48, moved up extra, gaining 13 locations to safe fifteenth.
Early Leaders Set the Stage
The second run started with fierce competitors as racers aimed to set an early benchmark. Pinheiro Braathen initially held the lead with a powerful run, however Bulgarian Albert Popov quickly delivered an excellent efficiency to overhaul him.
By the midway mark, Popov led the sphere, with Sweden’s rising star Fabian Ax Swartz simply 0.04 seconds behind. Pinheiro Braathen, regardless of his strong effort, slipped to 3rd, trailing by 0.22 seconds. With the quickest 15 skiers from the morning nonetheless to come back, the stage was set for an intense battle for the rostrum.
Meillard Makes His Transfer
The afternoon’s drama heightened as final season’s Austrian World Cup slalom champion, Manuel Feller, grew to become the primary of the ultimate 10 to ski. Feller delivered a quick second run, taking the lead with 9 skiers but to race.
Meillard, who completed the morning eighth, then put down an excellent efficiency to take a commanding 0.78-second lead over Feller. Croatia’s Samuel Kolega adopted with a strong run, ending simply behind Meillard, leaving six racers to go.
Swiss racer Daniel Yuletide was unable to ship a quick time, and with 5 skiers remaining, Meillard led the sphere, adopted by Kolega in second and Feller in third.
“This morning I used to be pondering a prime ten can be superb as a result of, in warm-up, it was not possible. All the things was painful,” Meillard stated.
“First run I didn’t have the arrogance I wanted, so I simply stated to myself, ‘Another run after which it’s Christmas—let’s push for it,’” Meillard defined.
Good Outcomes for the Stifel U.S. Ski Group
The 2 Stifel U.S. Ski Group members who certified for the second run each managed to attain World Cup factors. River Radamus, snowboarding sixth within the afternoon, struggled to match the pace he displayed within the first run and completed twenty seventh, incomes his first slalom factors of the season.
Jett Seymour, nevertheless, delivered a stronger efficiency. Snowboarding confidently, he slotted into fourth place behind Pinheiro Braathen with simply 10 racers left to compete. Seymour maintained his sturdy kind, ending thirteenth to match his place from the morning.
Race Outcomes & Evaluation of the Quickest Three and Certified Stifel US Ski Group Members
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Evaluation of the Quickest Three and Certified Stifel US Ski Group Members
