Norway’s Timon Haugan and Henrik Kristoffersen: GEPA pictures
Hafjell Men’s World Cup Slalom: Who’s Racing, Why, When, and How to Watch
An Historic Venue
Hafjell has a rich history in alpine skiing. The Olympia-Løypa slope has hosted major events for decades. The venue was home to the technical races at the 1994 Olympics and later held the World Cup Finals in 1996 and 2003. The last time a men’s World Cup slalom was contested on this slope, Italy’s Giorgio Rocca took the win.
While the resort has continued to host high-level competitions, including the Youth Olympics, Junior World Championships, and European Cup Finals, this marks a long-awaited return of World Cup slalom racing to Norwegian snow.
A Demanding Slalom Challenge
The slalom course will begin at an elevation of 440 meters and drop 195 meters to the finish. Known for its rolling terrain and technical turns, Olympia-Løypa will test the skiers’ agility, timing, and ability to adapt to the changing rhythm of the slope. The final slalom before the World Cup Finals promises intense competition, with athletes looking to secure crucial points in the discipline standings.
A Look at Past Hafjell Slalom Winners
Hafjell has not hosted a men’s World Cup slalom since 2003. Slovenia’s Rok Petrovič won the first World Cup slalom there in 1986, followed by Austria’s Michael Tritscher in 1991 and Thomas Sykora in 1996. The most recent slalom winner in the region was Italy’s Giorgio Rocca in 2003.
Kvitfjell hosted the men’s Olympic slalom in 1994, where Austria’s Thomas Stangassinger claimed gold. Over two decades later, Norway welcomes the world’s best slalom specialists for a long-anticipated return to World Cup racing on Norwegian snow.
The Final Regular-Season Slalom
Sunday’s race in Hafjell marks the regular season’s final men’s World Cup before the World Cup Finals. With just the top 25 in the discipline standings earning a spot at the Finals, this race is crucial for skiers fighting for their place in the season’s ultimate showdown.
For some, this is a final chance to secure valuable points and move up in the rankings. For others, it’s an opportunity to battle for the season title. With high stakes and the Olympia-Løypa slope proving to be a tough test, the final regular season slalom is set to deliver intense action before the Finals.
2025 Season Slalom Podiums
| Location | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levi, Finland | Clément Noël (FRA) | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) | Loïc Meillard (SUI) |
| Gurgl, Austria | Clément Noël (FRA) | Kristoffer Jakobsen (SWE) | Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) |
| Val d’Isère, France | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) | Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) | Loïc Meillard (SUI) |
| Alta Badia, Italy | Timon Haugan (NOR) | Loïc Meillard (SUI) | Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) |
| Madonna di Campiglio, Italy | Albert Popov (BUL) | Loïc Meillard (SUI) | Samuel Kolega (CRO) |
| Adelboden, Switzerland | Clément Noël (FRA) | Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) |
| Wengen, Switzerland | Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) | Timon Haugan (NOR) | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) |
| Kitzbühel, Austria | Clément Noël (FRA) | Alex Vinatzer (ITA) | Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) |
| Schladming, Austria | Timon Haugan (NOR) | Manuel Feller (AUT) | Fabio Gstrein (AUT) |
| Kranjska Gora, Slovenia | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) | Timon Haugan (NOR) | Manuel Feller (AUT) |
Slalom Podium Count by Nation
- Norway (NOR) – 13 podiums
- France (FRA) – 4 podiums
- Switzerland (SUI) – 4 podiums
- Austria (AUT) – 3 podiums
- Brazil (BRA) – 2 podium
- Bulgaria (BUL) – 1 podium
- Sweden (SWE) – 1 podium
- Croatia (CRO) – 1 podium
- Italy (ITA) – 1 podium
Nine nations have earned podiums so far this season.
Slalom Wins by Country
Four nations have claimed victories in this season’s ten slalom races. Norway leads with five wins, followed by France with four.
- Norway (5 wins) – Henrik Kristoffersen (2), Timon Haugan (2), Atle Lie McGrath (1)
- France (4 wins) – Clément Noël (4)
- Bulgaria (1 win) – Albert Popov (1)
Current Top 15 2024-25 Season’s SL Rankings
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Analysis of the Top 15 in the Slalom Standings
After ten of 12 World Cup slalom races, the top 15 racers come from nine different nations:
Countries with Skiers in the Top 15
- Norway – 3 skiers
- Switzerland – 3 skiers
- France – 2 skiers
- Austria – 2 skiers
- Brazil – 1 skier
- Germany – 1 skier
- Bulgaria – 1 skier
- Croatia – 1 skier
- Sweden – 1 skier
Top 5 with Deficit to Kristoffersen
| Rank | Name | Nation | Points | Deficit to Kristoffersen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henrik Kristoffersen | NOR | 567 | — (Leader) |
| 2 | Clément Noël | FRA | 490 | -77 |
| 3 | Loïc Meillard | SUI | 465 | -102 |
| 4 | Timon Haugan | NOR | 459 | -108 |
| 5 | Atle Lie McGrath | NOR | 394 | -173 |
With the unpredictability of slalom, all five still have a chance for the title, but it certainly looks like Kristoffersen’s to lose.
A Global Field
Sixty-nine men from 20 countries will compete in the World Cup slalom in Hafjell, Norway on Sunday, March 16.
I. Borisov (BUL) has set the first run, and B. Brunner (GER) will set the second run.
North Americans with 2024-25 World Cup Slalom Points
North Americans Racing Slalom in Hafjell
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team
Ritchie’s Breakthrough Season
Benjamin Ritchie is enjoying a career-best slalom season. The 24-year U.S. men’s slalom podium drought remains, but his progress suggests change could be coming.
With 124 points, he sits 19th in the standings and has secured his first World Cup Finals appearance. After scoring just 55 points over the past three seasons combined, this year’s surge is remarkable.
Ritchie has earned two top-10 finishes, including a season-best eighth in Madonna di Campiglio. With just two races left, a podium remains challenging, but his momentum could bring a breakthrough.
Seymour’s Last Shot at the Finals
Jett Seymour, a University of Denver All-American, is the senior U.S. slalom skier in Hafjell. Ranked 35th with a career high of 44 points, he needs a fourth-place finish or better to have a chance at the World Cup Finals qualification, trailing the top 25 by 48 points.
With just one race left, Seymour must deliver a standout performance. He has a shot with his raw speed and aggressive skiing, but this is likely his final World Cup race of the season.
Radamus Seeking a Slalom Score
River Radamus, the No. 1 U.S. GS skier, will race slalom in Hafjell before shifting focus to the World Cup Finals in giant slalom. Ranked 52nd in slalom, he aims to secure just his second slalom score of the season.
Luke Winters has returned to the World Cup with an improved start position and will hope for his first World Cup points of the season and a spot in the top 60 on the slalom World Cup Start List.
Canada’s Slalom Racers: Read and Fournier
Erik Read and Simon Fournier, former University of Denver All-Americans, will represent Canada.
Read, competing in his 11th straight season scoring World Cup slalom points, has struggled and sits 48th in the standings. Despite a frustrating year, he aims to finish strong.
Fournier, in his final World Cup race of the season, is chasing his first career World Cup points.
North American Men Racing Slalom
- Bib 22, Benjamin Ritchie, Stifel USST, Green Mountain Valley School, HEAD
- Bib 33, Jett Seymour, Stifel USST, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, University of Denver
- Bib 45, Erik Read, CAN World Racing Academy, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic
- Bib 49, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, SYNC Protection
- Bib 54, Luke Winters, Stifel USST, Sugar Bowl Ski Academy, SYNC Shields
- Bib 64, Simon Fournier, World Racing Academy, Mont Tremblant Ski Club, University of Denver, SYNC
What to Watch For
With just one regular-season slalom left, the battle for World Cup Finals qualification adds more pressure. Skiers on the bubble must deliver, while those at the top hope to gain momentum before Sun Valley.
Henrik Kristoffersen holds the overall slalom lead, but Clément Noël, Loïc Meillard, Timon Haugan, and Atle Lie McGrath still have a mathematical shot at the title. Barring disaster, it’s Kristoffersen’s to lose.
For North Americans, Benjamin Ritchie has already secured his Finals spot, but Jett Seymour needs a lot of luck and a career-best result to sneak in. Erik Read, River Radamus, and Simon Fournier will aim to end their slalom seasons on a high note.
Unpredictability defines slalom—expect surprises, crashes, and dramatic lead changes in Hafjell’s final regular season World Cup showdown.
How and When to Watch
The first run kicks off at 4:30 a.m. Eastern and at 1:30 a.m. Pacific Time, with the second run set for 7:30 a.m. Eastern and 4:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski and Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and First Run Start List
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First Run Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
