Atle Lie McGrath / GEPA pictures
Final Run Decides Season as Childhood Friends McGrath and Braathen Split Titles
Under blue skies in Hafjell, Norway, the final run of the 2025–26 FIS Alpine World Cup slalom unfolded with everything on the line.
This was it—the final run of the season. No more races. No second chances.
By the end of it, Timon Haugan claimed victory on home snow, while Atle Lie McGrath secured the first slalom crystal globe of his career after a dramatic showdown with childhood friend Lucas Pinheiro Braathen.
Top 5 – World Cup Finals Slalom (Hafjell)
1st 🇳🇴 Timon Haugan (NOR, 1996) — Bib 5 — 2:03.75
2nd 🇨🇭 Loïc Meillard (SUI, 1996) — Bib 2 — +0.44
3rd 🇫🇮 Eduard Hallberg (FIN, 2003) — Bib 8 — +1.03
4th 🇳🇴 Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR, 1994) — Bib 1 — +1.12
5th 🇫🇷 Clément Noël (FRA, 1997) — Bib 4 — +1.13
🇳🇴 Haugan Delivers Victory on Home Snow
With the globe already decided, the race itself came down to execution—and Haugan delivered.
The 29-year-old Norwegian attacked from the start with strength and confidence, building speed through the middle of the course and staying aggressive all the way to the finish. His total time of 2:03.75 proved untouchable.
It marked his second slalom victory of the season, and it came in the most meaningful setting possible.
With that performance, Haugan secured a historic milestone:
The first Norwegian World Cup slalom victory on home snow.
🇨🇭 Meillard Takes Second to Close Season
Loïc Meillard pushed for the win in the final race of the season but ultimately settled for second place (+0.44).
The Olympic champion delivered a strong first run, setting the benchmark early and putting himself in position to challenge for victory.
“Amazing first run… exactly what I wanted to show for that last race,” Meillard said.
But in the second run, he was unable to match the pace set by Haugan on home snow.
“In the second run… sadly I didn’t ski what I wanted,” he said. “So yeah, mixed feeling, but happy to end up with the podium.”
Still, the performance capped another consistent season at the top level.
🏆 Lie McGrath Holds On to Win First Career Globe
The race may have been won by Haugan, but the biggest prize of the season belonged to Atle Lie McGrath.
The 25-year-old Norwegian entered the final race leading the standings, chasing the first discipline title of his career after a season defined by consistency and speed.
With six skiers remaining, McGrath stepped into the start gate with the globe on the line—and a 0.23-second advantage over Eduard Hallberg.
He attacked from the top, but as the run developed, the advantage slipped away. The rhythm faded, and he crossed the line 0.76 seconds behind the lead.
The door was open.
🇧🇷 Braathen’s Chance Ends Early
Next out was his closest rival—and childhood friend—Lucas Pinheiro Braathen.
The 25-year-old Brazilian, already a slalom globe winner in 2023 and fresh off his giant slalom title the day before, had a clear opportunity to take the discipline title.
But the moment ended almost immediately.
Pinheiro Braathen straddled early in the run and did not finish.
Just like that, the season-long battle was decided.
A Globe, and a Moment Between Friends
When Clément Noël crossed the line just 0.10 seconds behind the lead, the final piece fell into place.
The slalom crystal globe was secured.
Lie McGrath embraced Pinheiro Braathen in the finish area, the two childhood friends sharing a long moment as the weight of the season lifted. After months of pressure, the outcome was finally clear.
Both leave Hafjell with a title:
- Lie McGrath — Slalom Globe
- Pinheiro Braathen — Giant Slalom Globe
🏆 Lie McGrath: “The best day of my life”
The emotion of the moment quickly followed.
“I am just so relieved,” Lie McGrath said. “The past months after the Olympics have been some of the toughest, but also some of the most rewarding I’ve ever had in my life.”
That Olympic memory still lingered. After leading the first run in Cortina, McGrath straddled in the second—a moment that stayed with him through the final stretch of the season.
“It shows that even though you go through your toughest period in life, you can still come out the other end and see the smile and see the sun.”
The pressure of the final weeks was constant.
“I’ve been going the past two weeks not sleeping, struggling to eat because I knew this day was coming,” he said. “To actually have it is just… it’s insane. I can’t even describe it.”
Then came the realization.
“It’s the best day of my life, really.”
Racing for something bigger
As the emotion built, Lie McGrath reflected on someone who was not there to witness it.
“I really miss my grandfather today. I wish he was here with me, but I know he’s watching.”
🇫🇮 Hallberg Breaks Through in First Finals
One of the standout performances of the day came from Eduard Hallberg.
At just 22 years old, competing in his first World Cup Finals, the Finnish skier delivered an aggressive and confident performance to finish third.
Starting late in the second run—on a more deteriorated surface—Hallberg still produced the third fastest run of the day, showing skill, balance, and the ability to push at the limit.
“Today was great… to end the season like this, it’s unbelievable,” Hallberg said.
After a cautious first run left him outside the top positions, he knew the opportunity was still there.
“I was maybe a bit cautious in the first run and a bit far off, but I knew I had a good position… and I knew everything is possible.”
Hallberg attacked in the second run and delivered under pressure, securing his third slalom podium of the season.
“It has been a great season… now to end up with this third place in the last race, it’s really nice.”
🇳🇴 Norway Shows Depth on Home Snow
Norway placed three skiers inside the top eight:
- Haugan — 1st
- Kristoffersen — 4th
- Lie McGrath — 8th
Kristoffersen, one of the most accomplished slalom skiers in World Cup history, finished just off the podium, while McGrath did what he needed to secure the globe.
The result highlights Norway’s strength in technical skiing—and made the final race of the season a statement performance on home snow.
🇬🇧 GB Snowsport: Taylor Charges to Points with Fastest Second Run
Laurie Taylor, the lone representative for GB Snowsport, delivered one of the standout performances in his first World Cup Finals and the final race.
After finishing 21st in the first run on a deteriorating surface, Taylor came out attacking in run two. Starting early on a cleaner track, he committed from the top and built speed through every section.
“I just tried to ski free in the second run,” Taylor said. “The first run was tough with the conditions, so I knew I had to push and take my chance.”
That approach paid off.
Taylor set the fastest second run of the race, a time that held deep into the field and forced even the top contenders to respond.
“I knew it was a good run, but you never really know until the top guys come down,” he said. “To see it hold for that long was pretty special.”
The 29-year-old climbed seven positions to finish 14th (+2.79), securing World Cup points in the final race of the season.
“I’m really happy with how I skied,” Taylor said. “It shows what’s possible when everything comes together.”
🇫🇷 Noël: Consistency but still searching for more
Clément Noël finished fifth and secured second in the final slalom standings, capping a season built on consistency.
“My season was okay. I think I was pretty consistent, which is good for me,” Noël said.
But the Frenchman made it clear he is still looking for more speed at the very top.
“I need to be a bit faster to win more races… I know I can be faster than this, and I will try to show it next year.”
🏆 Final World Cup Slalom Standings (2025–26)
1st 🇳🇴 Atle Lie McGrath (NOR, 2000, Head) — 584 pts
2nd 🇫🇷 Clément Noël (FRA, 1997) — 520 pts
3rd 🇧🇷 Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA, 2000) — 511 pts
4th 🇳🇴 Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR, 1994) — 503 pts
5th 🇳🇴 Timon Haugan (NOR, 1996) — 499 pts
Switzerland Secures Nation Cup Title
While the slalom globe was decided in Hafjell, the broader season picture was already clear.
🇨🇭 Switzerland secured the Men’s World Cup Nation Cup title with 5,633 points, built on consistent results across all disciplines.
🇦🇹 Austria finished second, while the small team from 🇳🇴 Norway placed third—highlighting the team’s strength, particularly in the technical events.
Norway may not have taken the overall title, but in Hafjell, they delivered the defining performance of the final day.
A Season Decided at the Limit
From the opening gates to the final run, the season came down to execution under pressure.
The globe was decided between two childhood friends.
The race was won by the skier who pushed the limit the furthest.
On this day, Timon Haugan was the fastest.
Over the course of the season, Atle Lie McGrath proved he was the best.
Race Results
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Top Three Analysis and British Racer Laurie Taylor
About the Author: Peter Lange
