Atle Lie McGrath / GEPA pictures
Loïc Meillard leads the final slalom of the 2025–26 World Cup season after the first run, setting the fastest time of 57.92.
Behind him, the slalom crystal globe will be decided in one final run.
Atle Lie McGrath finished sixth and is now under pressure, while Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, sitting fifth, has gained ground—but not enough yet to take control of the title fight.
Top 5 after first run
1st 🇨🇭 Loïc Meillard (SUI, 1996) — 57.92
2nd 🇳🇴 Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR, 1994) — +0.67
3rd 🇳🇴 Timon Haugan (NOR, 1996) — +0.79
4th 🇫🇷 Clément Noël (FRA, 1997) — +1.03
5th 🇧🇷 Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA, 2000, Oakley) — +1.15
Top 5 World Cup Slalom Standings (before Hafjell Finals)
1st 🇳🇴 Atle Lie McGrath (NOR, 2000, Head) — 552 pts
2nd 🇧🇷 Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA, 2000) — −41
3rd 🇫🇷 Clément Noël (FRA, 1997) — −77
4th 🇳🇴 Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR, 1994) — −99
5th 🇳🇴 Timon Haugan (NOR, 1996) — −153
What does the title fight require?
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen entered the final race trailing Atle Lie McGrath by 41 points.
A fifth-place finish earns 45 points—only a marginal gain—and is not enough on its own to overtake McGrath unless the Norwegian drops significantly further down the results.
After the first run, Braathen has gained position, but he has not yet put himself in a decisive position to take the slalom globe.
The pressure remains on both skiers heading into the final run.
Who set the pace early?
Henrik Kristoffersen opened on home snow with a strong run of 58.59.
Loïc Meillard followed and raised the level immediately. He took the lead by 0.67 and was faster across every sector. His run was the only one under 58 seconds and clearly the benchmark.
Timon Haugan continued Norway’s strong start, skiing into third at 0.79 back despite battling back pain this season. Clément Noël followed with a composed run to fourth, staying within reach at 1.03.
Only two skiers—Kristoffersen and Haugan—remain within one second of Meillard.
Where did the race shift?
The shift came with the title contenders.
Atle Lie McGrath, skiing with bib 6 and carrying the season lead, struggled to match the early pace. He crossed 1.65 back and dropped to sixth.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen followed and delivered a solid run. He crossed 0.50 ahead of McGrath and moved into fifth.
That result increased the pressure on McGrath—but certainly did not settle the title fight.
Why are the gaps so large?
The time spread is striking and reflects a deteriorating race surface.
Warm temperatures and soft snow made conditions more difficult with each skier. The race crew struggled to keep gates standing, leading to frequent course holds.
As the surface broke down, early starters held a clear advantage and gaps widened quickly.
What does that mean for run two?
The first run suggests a shift in advantage.
Skiers trailing the leaders will start earlier in the second run and will benefit from a cleaner surface. That gives them a real opportunity to attack and move up the leaderboard.
The leaders will start later on a more deteriorated course bu they are better ski racers.
Norway shows depth on home snow
Norway qualified five skiers for the finals in a field of just 26 athletes, including Junior World champion Giuliano Fux of Switzerland.
Three Norwegians sit inside the top six: Kristoffersen (2nd), Haugan (3rd), and McGrath (6th).
Norway has never won a World Cup race on home snow. With two skiers within one second of the lead, that could change.
GB Snowsport: Laurie Taylor advances
🇬🇧 Laurie Taylor (GBR, 1996) finished 21st, 4.15 behind the lead, but will start early for the second run.
Who did not finish?
The first DNF came from bib 15, Armand Marchant of Belgium. Junior World champion Giuliano Fux of Switzerland also did not finish.
Final setup: The title remains undecided
Loïc Meillard leads the race.
Atle Lie McGrath remains in control of the standings—but under pressure.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen has improved his position, but must do more in the second run to take the slalom globe.
The final run of the season will decide everything.
First Run Results
click images to enlarge
First-Run Analysis: Fastest Three, Slalom Season Leaders and Laurie Taylor GBR
About the Author: Peter Lange
