Featured Image: Timon Haugan. Credit: GEPA
The second day of the tech portion of the 2025 Saalbach World Championships was the men’s giant slalom race.
Following delays in the Team Combined event caused by thick fog, the men faced less-than-ideal weather once more today, as fresh snow began to fall. Nevertheless, the conditions held solid for the track, the race kicked off on time, and the racers gave it their all.
As the women demonstrated the day before, it is all about finding the flow on this racetrack, maintaining a high line, and compressing through the rollers.
Timon Haugan Surprises
Timon Haugan of Norway surprised as he continued to accelerate and pick up speed, especially in the final section of the track. He came through the finish taking the lead by a mere -0.02 ahead of Loïc Meillard.
This season, Haugan has yet to achieve a podium finish, with his best result in the World Cup being a 5th place in Alta Badia, which remains his sole top-5 result of the year.
However, Haugan unveiled substantial confidence and drive in the first run of the giant slalom event. He accelerated through the midsection and nailed the final section of the course.
He will have to go full send in the second run as the top 10 are only separated by a second.
Loïc Meillard, A Close Second
Loïc Meillard of Switzerland, wearing bib-2, has seen success on this track before. He won the giant slalom on this hill in the World Cup Finals, was silver at the last World Champs in the GS, and brought confidence from his Team Combined gold just days prior.
The confidence from these accomplishments shined through with his drive from top to bottom. He was able to maintain good flow and attack the critical sections. He held the lead until Haugen came through the finish.
A Third Fastest Time by Marco Odermatt
Marco Odermatt of Switzerland, the defending World Champion of giant slalom, pushed it from the start and found his early lead. He continued with a high, straight line but lost some time in the midsection of the course.
He heads into the second run in gold contention, just +0.24 behind Haugan.
A comeback in the World Championships is not new to the Swiss superstar. At the last World Champs, Odermatt overcame a first-run deficit of +0.58 to claim the gold.
In his interview after that gold medal, he stated, “I actually didn’t expect to win.” However, given his consistent success from that moment, he is pushing for the win and is aiming for nothing less.
Before the race today, Odermatt understood the challenges of this track. He stated, “The giant slalom course is fairly flat but extremely long, making it very, very challenging.”
With his technical dominance, he will be fully charging to achieve another World Championship title.
Norway and Switzerland Stack the Top 4
Alexander Steen Olsen, who was the first athlete to kick out of the start, held strong in the top 4. He set the pace with a composed run that was solid from arc to arc.
The Norwegian heads into the second run +0.45 behind the lead and only +0.21 off a medaling position.
The 23-year-old has had a winning season, achieving two victories in Sölden and Schladming. Additionally, he achieved a 3rd-place result in Alta Badia. Thus, he will be striving to make up time for a medal.
Raphael Haaser Attacks
Wearing bib-22, Raphael Haaser laid down a screaming first run to move into the top 5. The Austrian positioned himself strongly for a potential medal opportunity, +0.38 off the podium.
This was a thrilling surprise from Haaser as he came into World Championships only finishing once in the top 10 this season on the World Cup circuit. He has yet to achieve a top-5 on the circuit. He will be pushing hard in the second run to achieve his best result yet.
North Americans
Stifel US Ski Team members River Radamus and Bridger Gile, along with Alpine Canada racer Erik Read, have secured spots in the top 30.
River Radamus leads the North Americans in 11th place, +1.02 behind the lead. Radamus started off slower in the first section of the course, but continued to push through the mid and lower section, making up time.
He will be striving for his best performance in the second run, aiming to improve upon his top World Championship finish of 11th place.
Top 3 Analysis
Top 30 First Run Results
North Americans in the Top 30
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
