Chamonix SL Preview

Luke Winters Chamonix: photo credit GEPA

Who is skiing, when and how to watch the Sunday, February 4th Chamonix slalom

World Cup slalom leader Lucas Braathen will not be competing in Chamonix. Braathen recently had an emergency appendectomy in Zell am Zee, Austria. He will miss Chamonix and likely all of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. However, the Norwegian Alpine Ski Team’s doctor, Trond Floberghagen, says there is a slight chance he will be well enough to ski the WC slalom.

Chamonix will feature the three other 2022-23 World Cup slalom winners. Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, Switzerland’s Daniel Yule and France’s Clement Noel will be looking to add to their win totals. However, this season six others have stood on slalom podiums and are hungry for the top step.

Uniquely, tomorrow’s first run has been set by Stifel US Alpine Coach Matiz Skube. Skube is a first-year coach with the US. Because of Luke Winter’s 2021-22 performance, the US earned a slalom set. The good news is that after almost a full season as the US coach, the men should know his setting traits.

Snow Conditions

The Chamonix slope is one of the least intimidating of the men’s World Cup slalom venues. In the recent two slaloms held in Chamonix, in 2021, the snow was soft and required salt. However, the FIS is reporting that the surface is compact and ice this year. Temperatures are supposed to be -5 Celsius overnight, warming to +4 Celsius during the afternoon. With faster snow, courses become more challenging. It will be a display of exceptional athletic ability.

North Americans racing Chamonix

Following the Schladming slalom race, three male North American slalom skiers have scored World Cup points this season – CAN, Erik Read, USA Luke Winters and USA Benjamin Ritchie. However, if snow conditions are hard, all seven of the North Americans entered are capable of finishing the day in the top 30.

Alpine Canada Alpin has entered four Slalom skiers and the Stifel US Alpine Team has entered three.

North Americans entered to race the February 4th Chamonix slalom

• Bib 26, Erik Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic, UVEX
• Bib 28, Luke Winters, USST, Sugar Bowl Ski Academy, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK, SWIX, ASP
• Bib 40, Benjamin Ritchie, USST, GMVS, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK, ASP
• Bib 48, Liam Wallace, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 51, Asher Jordan, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic
• Bib 59, Jett Seymour, USST, SSWSC, University of Denver, Fischer
• Bib 61, Simon Fournier, ACA, Mont Tremblant Ski Club, University of Denver, Fischer 

The first run will begin at 3:30 am Eastern Time and 12:30 am on the West Coast. The second run will start at 6:30 am Eastern Time and 3:30 am on the West Coast.

In the USA, the Chamonix slalom can be viewed live and replayed on Ski and Snowboard Live. 

In Canada, World Cup content is available on CBC sports

The first run start list and program for the February 4th Chamonix slalom

Program for Sunday, February 4th, Chamonix SL