Timon Haugan / Val d’Isère SL Winner / GEPA pictures
Haugan Pushes Limits, Wins Val d’Isère Slalom as Norway Places Four in Top Six
Norway’s Timon Haugan pushed his limits while staying within his ability to win Sunday’s men’s World Cup slalom in Val d’Isère. He survived a significant challenge on one of the circuit’s most demanding slopes to finish in 1:37.89.
On a course that severely punished mistakes, Haugan skied tactically rather than recklessly, expertly managing risk as conditions and visibility worsened. The win marked his fifth career World Cup slalom victory, earned on a hill where small mistakes quickly ended podium hopes.
“I was very, very nervous between the runs,” Haugan said. “Going up to the start was tricky with the tracks and the course. You have to push, you have to be on the limit. There’s a chance you can go out, and it’s not easy. I’m so happy that it went well.
“Between the runs, I went back to my room and tried to relax,” he added. “I tried to relax, breathe, and focus on my skiing — focus on everything else than the result.
“This area is one of the trickiest slalom courses,” Haugan said. “Especially now with these extra rolls, it makes it hard. You can’t just go full gas from top to bottom. You have to be smart, you have to be tactical. It’s a cool hill, and I’m very happy to win this one.”
Meillard Pushes Hard, Finishes Second
Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard delivered the strongest challenge to Timon Haugan, attacking aggressively in the second run and applying pressure through the middle of the course. Meillard crossed the line 0.28 seconds back, securing second place and his 12th career World Cup slalom podium.
Though he narrowly missed out on a double victory at Val d’Isère, Meillard left La Face de Bellevarde encouraged by his performance across the weekend.
“Definitely a great weekend,” Meillard said. “Today was definitely not easy on the second run, but I knew we had to push and it was a good fight.”
Kristoffersen Completes the Podium
Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen finished third, 0.34 seconds off the winning time, after an aggressive but costly second run on a deteriorating course. Kristoffersen, who won at Val d’Isère last season, sat fourth after the first run and entered the afternoon aiming to climb higher.
An error near the top of the second run ultimately denied him a chance to stand on the top step of the podium for the first time this season.
“A mistake on the second run cost way too much time,” Kristoffersen said. “From there down I was really fast. That’s the only reason I’m on the podium, because with that mistake you’re really not.
“We’re not such bad skiers, so we can manage it even while doing it with this mistake,” he added. “But it’s better to be fast and make mistakes than to just be slow, like my second giant slalom run yesterday.”
The result still delivered Kristoffersen’s 58th career World Cup slalom podium, extending another strong chapter in one of the discipline’s most consistent careers.
Norway Claims Four of the Top Six
Norway’s depth defined the race well beyond the podium. Alongside Haugan and Kristoffersen, Oscar Andreas Sandvik finished fifth and Hans Grahl-Madsen sixth, giving Norway four of the top six finishers on a slope that rewarded aggression and tactical discipline.
British Focus: Taylor and Major Score, Ryding Exits in Final Val d’Isère Start
Great Britain scored with two athletes on Sunday, with Laurie Taylor, 12th, leading the British effort and Billy Major also finishing inside the top 30 to earn World Cup points after navigating a demanding second run in Val d’Isère.
For Dave Ryding, Sunday marked the final World Cup slalom of his career in Val d’Isère. The British veteran straddled and failed to finish, bringing his racing history on one of the tour’s most iconic slalom venues to a close.
Vinatzer Sets the Benchmark in Run Two
Italy’s Alex Vinatzer produced the fastest second run of the day, charging from 25th after the first run to fourth overall. Vinatzer attacked decisively from the top, gaining time in every sector and forcing late starters to manage risk rather than attack freely.
Second-Run Movers (▲10+ positions, Top 30 Finishers)
- Alex Vinatzer (ITA) — 4th, ▲22
- Oscar Andreas Sandvik (NOR) — 5th, ▲18
- Hans Grahl-Madsen (NOR) — 6th, ▲22
- Marco Schwarz (AUT) — 8th, ▲16
- Mattias Iten (SUI) — 10th, ▲20
- Hugo Desgrippes (FRA) — 12th, ▲13
- Eduard Hallberg (FIN) — 12th, ▲10
A Tactical Win on a Demanding Hill
With deepening grooves and rising pressure late in the start order, Val d’Isère once again demanded discipline as much as speed.
Haugan managed that balance best, pushing to the edge without crossing it and closing out a victory that required both nerve and intelligence.
Race Results
Click images to enlarge
Second Run Analysis: Top Three and British skiers
About the Author: Peter Lange
