Featured Image: Clément Noël. Credit: GEPA
The men entered the final day of the 2025 FIS Alpine World Championships. This last event brings pressure, as it is a perfect opportunity for skiers to compete for a world title one more time before Saalbach-Hinterglemm wraps up an amazing two weeks of racing.
The men in the slalom were welcomed by milder weather and reduced snowfall, a stark contrast to the conditions in the GS. The men were ready to dance, battling for a World Championship medal.
The Frenchman Sets the Pace, Proving Hard to Beat
Clément Noël hit the course first, setting the pace with strong form. He unveiled a solid tempo off the bat. He had strong skiing down the pitch and came through the finish with a time of 59.23. This pace proved hard to beat, and he will head into the second run 0.19 ahead of the field.
On the World Cup circuit this season, the French racer has achieved four victories. Although he had to sit out in the Val D’Isere slalom due to a significant fall during the giant slalom on the hill, resulting in a sprained right ankle and two broken teeth, he came back with passionate grit.
He enters into his fourth Championships, currently sitting in second in the World Cup standings, just three points behind Henrik Kristoffersen.
He will look to maintain his lead in the second run in hopes of achieving his first World Championship medal.
Loïc Meillard, Closest to the Lead
Loïc Meillard has been a model of consistency this season. On the World Cup circuit, he has achieved four podium results and three fifth-place finishes in slalom.
He came into the final race today already having achieved two 2025 World Championship medals, a gold in the Team Combined and a bronze in the giant slalom. Thereby, the Swiss athlete’s confidence was high.
He attacked the race line and was able to be the only athlete that got close to Noël’s dominant lead. Under two-tenths behind the French skier, Meillard will be looking to leave nothing on the hill in the second run.
If Meillard surpasses Noël’s advantage, he will break a long-standing drought, becoming the first Swiss athlete in 75 years to win a gold medal.
Atle Lie McGrath Rounds Out the Top 3 Fastest Times
The Norwegian, Atle Lie McGrath, comes through the finish with the third fastest time, +0.64 behind Noël.
Lie McGrath has had a successful season on the World Cup circuit, coming into the Champs with one victory in Wengen and three podium finishes.
Nevertheless, the 24-year-old must go all out in the second run to close the gap of more than six-tenths if he wants to secure the gold and stay ahead of his teammate Timon Haugan to keep his medal.
Haugan and Strasser are Neck-and-Neck in the Top Five
Timon Haugan of Norway and the German racer, Linus Strasser, came through the finish only 0.07 off of each other’s time, with Haugan leading in fourth.
Heading into the second run, the race between a medaling result and 5th place is only a difference of 0.13, so both athletes have the ability to achieve a podium spot.
Haugan won the most recent World Cup in Schladming and was the winner on this hill in the World Cup Finals slalom last season. Although he has battled with inconsistency, he has set himself up nicely to achieve his first individual World Championship medal.
Stefano Gross in Top 15
Stefano Gross of Italy, wearing bib 29, delivered an impressive first run that propelled him into the top-15. He crossed the finish line with a time that was +1.88 seconds behind the leader, placing him in a strong position to secure a top-15 finish at the World Championships.
The 38-year-old veteran has competed in eight World Championships, and his top slalom result was 9th place in 2017. He will be pushing it to the limit to earn his personal best.
North Americans
Stifel US Ski Team Member Ben Ritchie was kicked out of the start, hoping to earn a milestone for himself in the final race of the World Championships event. Unfortunately, in the first section, Ritchie leaned into the hill, which caused him to hit his side and not be able to make the next gate. He will not continue into the second run.
However, his teammate Jett Seymour was able to hold it together for the team. Seymour kicked out of the start and attacked through each gate. He held onto a solid rhythm on the pitch and was able to crack the top 30, heading into the second run in 26th place.
Erik Read from Alpine Canada Alpin was the first Canadian to take on the slope. He had a strong performance but made a few errors along the way. Despite this, he managed to complete the first run in 27th place, finishing +3.19 seconds behind the leader.
Luke Winters ended his first run just shy of the top 30, while his teammate River Radamus faced similar challenges as Ritchie and was unable to finish.
Top 3 Analysis
Top 30 First Run Results
North Americans in the Top 30
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
