Adelboden Finish Stadium: GEPA pictures
Adelboden Men’s World Cup Slalom: Who’s Racing, When, and How to Watch
The Adelboden Slalom, one of the premier events on the FIS World Cup calendar, promises another thrilling competition on the legendary Chuenisbärgli slope. Known for its steep terrain and technical demands, this iconic race attracts the world’s best slalom skiers and enthusiastic crowds. The January 11th event marks the sixth slalom of the season, with athletes battling for critical World Cup points ahead of the World Championships.
A Look Back at Adelboden’s 2024 Podium
Last year’s Adelboden Slalom delivered an exciting showdown. Austrian Manuel Feller claimed victory, showcasing the skill that earned him the 2023-24 World Cup Slalom title. Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath secured second, continuing his consistent performances throughout the season. Austria’s Dominik Raschner rounded out the podium with a solid third-place finish.
However, this season presents new challenges for Austria. Feller, currently ranked 13th, remains their highest-ranked Austrian slalom skier. After dominating last season, Austria now finds itself without a top-10 athlete in the standings— a challenging start to the year.
Current Season Standings
Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard leads the standings, narrowly ahead of Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen. Meillard has delivered consistent podium finishes, while Kristoffersen claimed victory in Val d’Isère. France’s Clément Noël, who started the season strong with wins in Levi and Gürgl, currently sits third but has struggled to regain form after his December GS crash.
Notably, the top 10 includes skiers from seven nations, highlighting the growing diversity in men’s slalom. These include representatives from smaller skiing nations such as Bulgaria and Croatia and non-alpine nations such as Brazil and Great Britain. Norway leads with three athletes in the top 10, while France and Switzerland each have two. Additionally, Norway’s dominance is further underscored by having three elite skiers start among the top seven, solidifying its status as the premier slalom program this season.
Current Top 15 2024-25 Season’s SL Rank
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Podium Earners This Season
The men’s slalom season has already featured five races with thrilling results:
Levi, Finland: Clément Noël (FRA) 1st, Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) 2nd, Loïc Meillard (SUI) 3rd.
Gürgl, Austria: Clément Noël (FRA) 1st, Kristoffer Jakobsen (SWE) 2nd, Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) 3rd.
Val d’Isère, France: Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) 1st, Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) 2nd, Loïc Meillard (SUI) 3rd.
Alta Badia, Italy: Timon Haugan (NOR) 1st, Loïc Meillard (SUI) 2nd, Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) 3rd.
Madonna di Campiglio, Italy: Albert Popov (BUL) 1st, Loïc Meillard (SUI) 2nd, Samuel Kolega (CRO) 3rd.
A Global Field for Adelboden
Seventy-five men from 23 nations will compete in the men’s World Cup slalom in Adelboden on Jan.11. Of the first 30 on the start list, 14 countries are represented, with Austria leading with five athletes. This strong presence highlights the depth of talent in the Austrian slalom team, aiming for its first slalom podium success this season.
del DIO Simone (ITA) has set the first run, and Mathias Rolland (FRA) will set the second run.
North American Men With 2024-25 World Cup Slalom Points
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Update
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team has seen marked improvement this season, led by 24-year-old Ben Ritchie. Ranked 17th with 62 points, Ritchie has nearly tripled his previous best season’s total. Jett Seymour follows with 30 points, holding 31st place in the standings. River Radamus, traditionally a super-G and GS specialist, has also scored slalom points this season, sitting 47th with four points.
Luke Winters continues to fight for second-run qualifications, narrowly missing the top 30 in Madonna di Campiglio. His efforts highlight the depth of U.S. talent in a highly competitive discipline.
Canadian Contenders
Canada’s Erik Read, a consistent presence on the World Cup circuit, remains on the start list despite not scoring slalom points this season. Training independently with the World Racing Academy in Italy, Read holds the 54th position on the World Cup Start List.
Simon Fournier, another University of Denver graduate, earned his World Cup start position through the NorAm series. Fournier, like Read, has yet to score this season but brings valuable experience to Adelboden. Alpine Canada Alpin’s Liam Wallace will also represent Canada. Wallace, who debuted on the World Cup at Adelboden in 2022 with a respectable 34th-place finish, looks to build on his experience and break into the top 30
What to Watch in Adelboden
Adelboden’s Chuenisbärgli slope remains one of the most challenging on the circuit, demanding endurance and skill. With six slaloms scheduled in January, including this race, athletes have limited opportunities to secure valuable points before the World Championships.
The dramatic reverse-order format of the second run will be exciting, with frequent lead changes and the fastest first-run skier determining the final outcome. Fans can expect fierce battles among top-ranked skiers like Meillard, Kristoffersen, and Noël, while emerging talents like Ritchie and Wallace aim to make their mark.
As the season progresses, the Adelboden Slalom will be a critical test for athletes navigating a packed January schedule. Stay tuned for all the action as the world’s best compete on one of skiing’s most iconic venues.
North American men racing SL in Madonna di Campiglio Jan 8
- Bib 29, Benjamin Ritchie, Stifel USST, Green Mountain Valley School, HEAD
- Bib 32, Jett Seymour, Stifel USST, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, University of Denver
- Bib 43, Erik Read, CAN World Racing Academy, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic
- Bib 46, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, SYNC Shields
- Bib 56, Liam Wallace, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers, University of Alaska Anchorage, SHRED
- Bib 62, Simon Fournier, Mont Tremblant Ski Club, University of Denver, SYNC
- Bib 74, Luke Winters, Stifel USST, Sugar Bowl Ski Academy, SYNC Shields
How and When to Watch
The first run starts at 4:30 a.m. Eastern Time and 1:30 a.m. Pacific Time, followed by the second run at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and 4:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski And Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and First Run Start List
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First Run Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
