Henrik Kristoffersen seeks victory number four at the “Temple of Slalom”, while the talented and youthful Norwegian squad attempt to extend their World Cup slalom winning streak to six

Madonna di Campiglio, ITALY

Norway’s slalom statistics and recent success has been sensational. The team’s depth in the discipline is unprecedented.

Veteran Henrik Kristoffersen, 28, leads the opportunistic Norwegian squad into Madonna di Campiglio, for Thursday night’s 3Tre slalom under the lights. Kristoffersen’s teammates Lucas Braathen, 22, Atle Lie McGrath, 22, and Sebastian Foss Solevaag, 28, and even Timon Haugan, 25, all seem equally capable of victory at the classic Italian venue.

The history of the 3Tre slalom in the ‘Pearl of the Dolomites’ spans more than seven decades. The Norwegians will try to add to that race history on Thursday night at a ski racing mecca and famed stadium known at the ‘Temple of Slalom.’

 A Norwegian triumph on the 470-meter long Canalone Miramonti piste on Thursday would make it three-in-a-row. Foss-Solevaag won last December. Kristoffersen attained the third of his trio of victories here in 2020.

Norway is also seeking to become the first country since Italy (1994-95) to win six successive men’s slalom World Cup events. Italian legend Alberto Tomba won nine straight for his country in 1994-95.

What exactly will it take to stop the Norwegian slalom victory streaks on Thursday night, as large crowds are expected to attend the race for the first time since before the pandemic?

“They are definitely the best team at the moment in slalom, but our goal is to prove that we can beat them and be the number one slalom in the World Cup,” Austrian Olympic slalom silver medalist Johannes Strolz, tells Ski Racing Media.

“Obviously their young guns Braathen and McGrath. It’s totally crazy how fast they have developed as athletes at their young age.

“Of course, Solevaag and Kristoffersen. Seb is such a unique slalom skier with such a high speed. Henrik is one of the greatest skiers all-time in my opinion.”

If Kristoffersen could achieve a fourth career slalom victory at Madonna di Campiglio, he’ll move past Tomba and narrow the gap to one behind Ingemar Stenmark’s record five victories at the 3Tre slalom.

“They are all great guys and sportsmen and I am looking forward to battling them,” Strolz said.

Italy’s Rocca: “They race with their hearts”

A Norwegian victory on Thursday night would also mark the eighth by the country at the 3Tre slalom, equaling them with Austria in the race’s history. Italy has tallied 15 wins over the years dating to the first 3Tre slalom in 1950.

Giorgio Rocca was the last Italian to win on home snow in Campiglio in 2005. He also opined about how hard it will be to dethrone the Norwegian kings.

“The more I think about it, one Norwegian will win, they have four possibilities,” Roccas tells Ski Racing Media. “Those guys train hard, they push the limit, but know where the limit is. 

“They race with their hearts and they’re not affected by the expectations of the public. They’re super fast.”

At the season-opening slalom in Val d’Isere on December 11, Lucas Braathen put on a dominant display, increasing his first run lead of 0.49 seconds and winning by 0.84. The Norwegian rising star aims to become the first racer to claim victories at the opening two World Cup slaloms since Marcel Hirscher in 2018-19. Kristoffersen also began with two-in-a row in 2015-16, en route to the first of his three World Cup slalom titles.

The stage is set for what should be another spectacular race at the 3Tre stadium in Campiglio. It remains to be seen if the ski racing nations of the world can join forces to bring their Norwegian opponents back down to earth

Alex Vinatzer appears to be best possibility for strong result for the home team. However, the young Italian racer is coping with a knee ailment sustained last weekend in Alta Badia. 

The 23-year-old from Val Gardena was third here in 2020. He finished just 0.34 seconds behind the winner Kristoffersen.

The night race on Thursday evening marks the 69th edition of the 3Tre races.

Celebrating 3Tre’s history in Madonna di Campiglio

The ski racing family gathered here in Madonna di Campiglio is celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of Piero Gros 1972 victory at the 3Tre. It marked the first career World Cup win by the Italian legend. 

Gros’ teammates Gustavo Thoni and Fausto Radici accompanied him for an evening of celebration, attended by other luminaries in the sport, on Wednesday evening in the Italian Dolomites resort. The trio swept the podium in Campiglio in 1976.

Madonna di Campiglio historian and photographer Paolo Bisti was capturing the special moments through his lens as always. Bisti has carried on the legacy of his father Giovanni, who began photographing the race in the 1950’s. Paolo recently published a book documenting the race’s storied history, containing a vast collection of historic photographs, titled 3.Tre, The Great History.

“Two years ago, (Ingemar) Stenmark came back to Madonna to visit us. It was the first time he was back in Madonna in many years. He told us that his first victory here is still one of the most memorable moments of his career,” Bisti said.

“It is the oldest Italian ski race. The first World Cup race in Italy was this event in February 1967. The winners of this slalom have been the most important skiers in the world. Zeno Colo won the first edition, Gustavo Thoeni, Stenmark, Bode Miller, almost everybody.

“I especially remember the races during the 1970’s, when Italian skiers were very important and successful. It was the most important time for Italian skiing with Piero Gros and Gustavo Thoeni.

“After this, of course, were the years of Alberto Tomba, starting from 1987 until the 90’s. During those races the entire village will filled. It was crazy. Thousands and thousands of Italian ski fans were here just for Alberto Tomba. Incredible and memorable moments.”

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