Exciting Start with Noël’s Return
The Alta Badia slalom began with excitement as fans welcomed the return of Clément Noël. After missing the third round in Val d’Isère due to injury, Noël, the winner of the season’s first two slalom races, showed he was back in form and ready to compete.
Norwegians Set the Pace
As the early favorites tackled the challenging Gran Risa course, Norwegian Timon Haugan set the standard with an impressive performance. His teammate Atle Lie McGrath followed closely, 0.31 seconds behind, while Noël secured third, 0.99 seconds back in his return to competition. In fourth, Haugan’s compatriot and current leader of the slalom standings, Henrik Kristoffersen, continued Norway’s strong showing.
Rising Stars Challenge the Leaders
By the time the first 15 skiers completed their runs, French rising star Steven Amiez, wearing bib 11, delivered an outstanding effort to displace Kristoffersen and claim fourth place. The Norwegians maintained their dominance, but Amiez’s performance underscored the depth of talent challenging the leaders in this season’s slalom competition.
Struggles for the Champion
Unfortunately, reigning World Cup Slalom Champion Manuel Feller of Austria continued to struggle. While he made it to the finish, he ended 1.55 seconds behind the leader, a disappointing result for the Austrian star.
Opportunities Beyond the Top 30
Once the first 30 skiers completed their morning runs, six racers had failed to finish the demanding course, while others struggled to find speed. That reality, combined with near-perfect icy conditions, created opportunities for those starting with bib numbers above 30. Any racer skiing well in these conditions had a strong chance to qualify for the afternoon finale, proving that persistence and precision could pay off on the Gran Risa.
Strong Performances from Late Starters
Eight racers with bib numbers above 30 qualified for the afternoon finale, showcasing the opportunities available on the icy Gran Risa course. Leading this group was Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Jett Seymour, who skied brilliantly with bib 32 to finish 13th fastest.
The last to qualify from this group was Italian veteran Simon Maurberger, wearing bib 55. His exceptional run placed him 22nd, securing his spot in the second run and capping a strong showing by late starters.
North Americans Shine Late in the Field
All of the North Americans started among the later group, with Seymour leading the charge. Known for his strength on icy courses, Seymour didn’t disappoint. Wearing bib 32, he delivered a strong performance, crossing the finish line in 13th place, 2.26 seconds back, and securing qualification for the second consecutive race.
The next North American to take on the Gran Risa was Seymour’s teammate, Ben Ritchie, who has been leading the American squad this season. While Ritchie didn’t match Seymour’s level of precision, he managed to finish in 25th place, keeping his hopes alive for qualification as the first run continued.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s giant slalom leader, River Radamus, took on the icy piste with bib 46 and skied a well-executed first run. Radamus crossed the finish line in 24th place, 2.96 seconds back, pushing Ritchie into the bubble at 30th place. As the first run progressed, Ritchie remained on the edge, hoping his result would hold for the afternoon finale. However, Maurberger, skiing with bib 55, delivered a brilliant performance, bumping Ritchie out of the second run into 31st and moving Radamus to 25th. This marks Radamus’s second time qualifying for a World Cup slalom finale.
Mixed Results but Progress for North Americans
For North America, the day brought a mix of challenges and progress. Canadian veteran Erik Read did not finish his run, while his teammate Simon Fournier placed 47th, falling well outside the qualifying cutoff for the second run.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Luke Winters, known for his potential in slalom, straddled a gate in the second sector and also did not finish. However, Jett Seymour and River Radamus delivered standout performances. Seymour’s 13th-place finish and Radamus’s 25th marked the first time this season that two North Americans qualified for the second run of a World Cup slalom. On a demanding Gran Risa course, this milestone signals progress for the North American contingent.
First-Run Top 30 & Analysis of the Fastest Three, and Qualified North Americans
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Analysis of the Fastest Three, and Qualified North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
