Timon Haugan / Alta Badia 2024 SL Champion / GEPA pictures
Men’s World Cup slalom closes pre-Christmas stretch on Gran Risa
The men’s World Cup slalom continues Monday in Alta Badia, Italy, where the legendary Gran Risa hosts the fourth slalom of the 2025–26 season.
It is the last race before a short Christmas break, closing the technical portion of the 2025 schedule before the men return to speed racing. The next men’s World Cup is on December 27 with a super-G in Livigno, Italy. With three slaloms already complete, discipline points are beginning to matter, and Gran Risa offers one final technical test before the calendar’s brief pause.
On one of the most demanding courses in alpine skiing, starting position matters, rhythm matters, and confidence is rewarded immediately. With the standings still tight, Alta Badia stands as an essential checkpoint before the tour resumes after the holidays.
The opening seven bibs immediately raise the intensity:
- Bib 1 — Loïc Meillard (SUI, 1996)
- Bib 2 — Timon Haugan (NOR, 1996)
- Bib 3 — Fabio Gstrein (AUT, 1997) — Atomic
- Bib 4 — Clément Noël (FRA, 1997)
- Bib 5 — Atle Lie McGrath (NOR, 2000) — Head
- Bib 6 — Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR, 1994)
- Bib 7 — Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA, 2000) — Atomic, Oakley
With the front of the field stacked this tightly, every turn matters and confidence could shape the entire race before the first group is complete.
Men’s slalom podiums — 2025–26 season
| Race | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levi (FIN) | Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) | Clément Noël (FRA) | Eduard Hallberg (FIN) |
| Gurgl (AUT) | Paco Rassat (FRA) | Armand Marchant (BEL) | Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) |
| Val d’Isère (FRA) | Timon Haugan (NOR) | Loïc Meillard (SUI) | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) |
Three races into the season, the podium picture reflects the depth and volatility of modern men’s slalom, with six nations already making a podium impression.
Top 7 in slalom standings — 2025–26 season (after three races)
- 2 — Timon Haugan (NOR, 1996) — 195 points
- 13 — Paco Rassat (FRA, 1998) — 140 points — Head
- 7 — Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA, 2000) — 126 points — Atomic, Oakley
- 4 — Clément Noël (FRA, 1997) — 102 points
- 6 — Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR, 1994) — 102 points
- 1 — Loïc Meillard (SUI, 1996) — 98 points
- 18 — Armand Marchant (BEL, 1997) — 89 points — Head
The standings remain compressed, and Gran Risa offers one last opportunity before the break to gain ground—or lose it.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team
The U.S. men arrive in Alta Badia aiming to fast first-run skiing into second-run opportunities on one of the most unforgiving tracks on the calendar.
- 24 — Benjamin Ritchie (2000) — Head
- 43 — Jett Seymour (1998) — Atomic
- 60 — Stanley Buzek (2005)
- 67 — Cooper Puckett (2003) — Head
Gran Risa rewards skiers willing to commit early and manage risk through the fall-away sections, making clean timing essential for advancing.
Canada (CAN) Independent
- 64 — Erik Read (1991) — Atomic
Experience on this demanding European track could prove valuable as conditions evolve through the first run.
Great Britain (GBR)
- 9 — Dave Ryding (1986) — Head
- 27 — Laurie Taylor (1996) — Head
- 30 — Billy Major (1996) — Head
- 63 — Luca Carrick-Smith (2005) Independent
Ryding again anchors the British effort, while the younger skiers gain valuable Olympic-season experience on one of the World Cup’s most exacting venues.
One last push before the break
Gran Risa rarely delivers predictable outcomes. With this race marking the final World Cup start before Christmas, athletes will push hard to carry confidence and points into the holiday pause. Exceptional timing, aggression, and focus under pressure will determine who leaves Alta Badia with momentum—and who heads into the break still searching.
Course setters — First run: Mario Rafetzeder (FIN) Second run: Julien VUIGNIER SUI
Men’s GS Race
The men’s slalom is set for Sunday, Dec. 14. Run one begins at 4:00 a.m. ET / 1:00 a.m. PT, followed by run two at 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT. Fans in Great Britain can tune in at 9:00 for the first run and 12:30 for the second.
How to Watch
United States: Live and replay coverage on Ski and Snowboard Live.
Canada: Stream on CBC Sports.
Great Britain: Both races air live on Discovery+
Daily Program
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First Run Starlist Men’s GS
About the Author: Peter Lange
