Paco Rassat / GEPA pictures
Paco Rassat Claims Adelboden Slalom Victory
What an amazing slalom race today in Adelboden! Paco Rassat took the win, edging out Atle Lie McGrath by just 0.18 seconds, with Henrik Kristoffersen finishing third +0.20. The margins were razor-thin throughout the top, making for a thrilling finale on the Chuenisbärgli and an unforgettable showdown for Run 2 and podium positions.
Paco Rassat has been incredibly impressive this season. Coming off a third-place finish in Madonna di Campiglio, he was a little behind on the top flats in today’s Adelboden race, but he kicked into gear, regained his rhythm, and delivered the fastest second run time. His pitch was the most impressive part, where he was able to pull away from the group and maintain his lead with two more skiers still to come.
Paco Rassat’s rise in the Alpine Skiing World Cup has been anything but rushed. Making his World Cup debut in January 2022, his development unfolded quietly over several seasons, marked by steady progress rather than instant results. His first top-10 finish did not come until January 2025 in Wengen, and prior to this season he had never stood on a World Cup podium.
That gradual climb made his breakthrough all the more striking. In November 2025, Rassat opened the season with a sixth-place finish in Levi, then stunned the field just six days later by claiming his first career World Cup victory in Gurgl. At 27, the Frenchman suddenly announced himself at the top level, turning years of consistent effort into rapid success. He has since confirmed that form with multiple podiums, including today’s win in Adelboden, solidifying a breakthrough season that feels earned rather than accidental.
Reflecting on the win, Rassat said, “I can’t believe it—I’m so happy. The atmosphere here is incredible, and I want to give this moment to my parents. This feels even better than I ever dreamed.”
Top Five — Adelboden Men’s Slalom
- 🇫🇷 Paco Rassat — 1:40.85
- 🇳🇴 Atle Lie McGrath — +0.18
- 🇳🇴 Henrik Kristoffersen — +0.20
- 🇧🇷 Lucas Pinheiro Braathen — +0.36
- 🇦🇹 Manuel Feller — +0.38
McGrath and Kristoffersen: Norwegians Shine on the Podium
Atle Lie McGrath held on to second place, just 0.18 seconds behind Paco Rassat, adding to his impressive World Cup tally of 19 career podiums, including 14 in slalom. After his aggressive push in Run 1, he looked more focused on finishing clean in Run 2, appearing to hold back slightly, but it was still very strong skiing. With today’s result, McGrath moves up to third in the overall World Cup standings, continuing to show remarkable consistency and skill in one of the tightest and most exciting disciplines of the season, where any of the top 20 can make a move.
“Being only a couple tenths behind Paco today is incredible,” McGrath said. “He skied so well, and I knew it right away — you can hear it at the start when the French coaches are cheering that loud.”
Henrik Kristoffersen came in third, a veteran still searching for the green light at the finish. Known for his intensity, he attacked from the start but lost it on the pitch, getting onto his inside foot and struggling through a section that Paco navigated cleanly. Despite that, third place adds his 99th World Cup podium and contributes valuable slalom points for the season, helping him rebuild after a stretch of results that have been less consistent than he likely expected given his past as last year’s slalom globe winner. It is a reminder of his competitive fire and ability to stay in the mix at the top even on challenging days.
“Standing on the Adelboden podium again means a lot,” Kristoffersen said. “These races come down to hundredths, and today was another reminder of how fine the margins are in slalom.”
Second Run Chaos: Lead Changes and a Surge from Zenhäusern
The second run turned volatile from the very start, with the lead swapping repeatedly as skiers pushed the limits on near-perfect conditions. Switzerland’s Ramon Zenhäusern brought a moment of order, holding the lead longer than anyone else. Even so, his effort eventually gave way as the eventual winner posted the fastest second run. Zenhäusern finished 15th after charging up 11 positions, keeping the pace escalating throughout. It was fantastic to see the Olympic gold medalist back in the leader box, and the Swiss crowd was loving every moment.
Manuel Feller also had an impressive second run, posting the third-fastest time of the run and moving up three spots to finish fifth overall. After a season of struggling with consistency, it was great to see him put down two solid runs and secure a top-five finish in Adelboden. Hopefully this performance gives him a boost of confidence heading into the next races. And who knows—maybe it was the new haircut—but either way, it was a strong showing from the Austrian.
🇬🇧 Great Britain
The British team came out determined to move up the leaderboard in the second run.
- 🇬🇧 Dave Ryding — 13th Climbed several spots in the second run.
- 🇬🇧 Billy Major — 19th Delivered a solid performance.
- 🇬🇧 Laurie Taylor — 22nd Struggled to find his rhythm at the start, a little late and behind it.
Although all three improved their positions, they were still hoping to climb the leaderboard further, showing grit and consistency on a demanding Adelboden course.
Final Thoughts and Next Stop
Slalom continues to be one of the most exciting events this winter, with razor-thin margins and intense competition at every turn. Today’s racing showcased outstanding skiing and highlighted just how quickly the leaderboard can change.
With an early exit in the first run from Timon Haugen, the overall slalom standings now shift to Paco Rassat, rewarding his consistency and breakthrough performance.
The Americans have the speed but are still looking to convert it into clean race-day runs, while the British team is clearly gaining momentum. If they can put together error-free performances, they have the potential to climb the rankings in future races.
The next men’s slalom on the World Cup tour is set for Wengen on January 18th, promising another high-stakes showdown.
Race Results
Click images to enlarge
Second-Run Analysis: Top Three and British Racers
About the Author: Katie Twible
