Featured Image: Gurgl finish area. Credit: GEPA pictures/Thomas Bachun

Who is racing in Gurgl, when, and how to watch the men’s first World Cup slalom of the new season.

Saturday marks the debut of another new addition to the men’s World Cup venue lineup. The 2023-24 World Cup men’s slalom opener takes place in Gurgl, Austria, on the challenging Kirchenkar race slope. On Saturday, Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway will begin his 2023-24 slalom campaign in search of his 4th SL title against a competitive field. Unfortunately, his teammate Lucas Braathen, 22, who earned last season’s slalom title, abruptly resigned from his ski racing career before the Sölden World Cup GS. Nonetheless, the Norwegian team remains stacked with the most athletes in the top 15 of the World Cup Standings (WCSL). Due to the cancellation in Sölden and Zermatt-Cervinia, the excitement continues to build as this will be the first men’s race of the new season.

Last season, the men’s slalom field proved that no one is guaranteed a podium. Each slalom in the 2023 season had a different set of men on the steps, revealing that all athletes must continue to give their best effort across every finish line. The Swiss men, Ramon Zenhaeusern and Daniel Yule will take their success from last year as they aim for more gold medals this winter. AJ Ginnis (GRE), Clement Noel (FRA), Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) and Dave Ryding (GBR) were racers who stood on the podium last year and will be ones to keep an eye on, as they are undoubtedly hungry for more.

Eight best-ranked slalom skiers from the 2022-23 World Cup season competing in Gurgl

The North Americans Racing in Gurgl

The North American teams have seven men on the start list this weekend. Alpine Canada Alpin enters three slalom skiers. The Stifel US Ski Team features three team members and US independent Jimmy Kurpka. Erik Read is the highest-ranked North American in slalom and the only one in the top 30 WCSL slalom standings. He is looking to improve his world ranking, starting with Gurgl. He said, “My goal this year is to rank in the top 15 WCSL. I am shooting for that top-10 or top-15 on a really consistent basis.” 

Luke Winters of the Stifel US Ski Team is not far behind, ranked 31st on the WCSL. With his “now is the time” mindset going into this season, he is ready to go for it! Jett Seymour (USA) and Ben Ritchie (USA) will also push to improve their world rankings this season. The other three men from North America are World Cup rookie Jimmy Krupka (USA), Liam Wallace (CAN) and Justin Alkier (CAN). None of the three have scored World Cup points yet, so they are attacking this race with the desire to make a second run.

The top eight ranked slalom men from the 2022-23 season who will be competing in Gurgl

• Bib 28, Erik Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic, UVEX, Level Gloves
• Bib 29, Luke Winters, Stifel USST, Sugar Bowl Ski Academy, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK
• Bib 37, Jett Seymour, Stifel USST, SSWSC, University of Denver, Fischer, One/Way
• Bib 43, Benjamin Ritchie, Stifel USST, Green Mountain Valley School, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK
• Bib 48, Liam Wallace, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers, University of Alaska Anchorage, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 56, Jimmy Krupka, Independent, Dartmouth College, Green Mountain Valley School, Nordica, TOKO, SYNC
• Bib 59, Justin Alkier, ACA, National Ski Academy, Middlebury College, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves

North Americans racing in Gurgl who are ranked on the current SL World Cup Start List (WCSL)

Seventy-two athletes representing 22 nations will start the Gurgl slalom.

Gurgl, set at the very end of the Ötztal valley, is making history as it hosts its inaugural Alpine World Cup event, a thrilling slalom competition set to take place on November 18th. Nestled between 5905 and 9940 feet above sea level, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl boasts one of the Alps’ most exceptional and snow-sure ski areas. Gurgl, often called the “Village at the Glacier,” has a rich skiing history, marked by the construction of its first ski lift, a T-bar, in 1948. As a top destination, Gurgl provides exceptional skiing and superb mountain restaurants that blend culinary delights with breathtaking Alpine views, making it an ideal spot for a ski stop-off and a delectable bite to eat.

When and how to watch

The men’s first run starts at 4:45 a.m. Eastern Time and 1:45 a.m. on the West Coast. The second run will begin at 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time and at 4:45 a.m. on the West Coast. We remind you a full replay is available after the race.

In the USA, the men’s World Cup in Gurgl will be available for viewing both live and as a replay on the streaming service Peacock.

In Canada, the World Cup can be viewed on CBC sports

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Saturday’s Gurgl slalom First Run Start List and Program (November 18th)

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Program for Saturday’s Gurgl slalom (November 18th)