Timon Haugan: GEPA pictures
Thrills on the Ganslernhang
The first run of the Kitzbühel World Cup slalom on the Ganslernhang slope delivered all the excitement fans have come to expect. With steep gradients, sudden compressions, and demanding turns, the course rewarded skiers who could stay aggressive while maintaining balance through the trickiest sections.
Racers faced a variable distance between gates, forcing quick transitions and variable timing. Breakovers and fall-away turns added to the challenge, with the fastest skiers capitalizing on clean lines and smart tactics.
The Norwegians swept the podium in the Wengen a week ago and after the first run, it was bib 1 Norwegian Timon Haugan with a 0.07 lead over French skier Steven Amiez and 0.25 ahead of Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen.
Challenging Yet Manageable Course
Christian Mitter, the Austrian coach now working with the Norwegian team, set a first-run course on the Ganslernhang that featured variable gate distances. While the set required racers to adapt quickly to changes in rhythm, the slower overall speed reduced the number of skiers who did not finish (DNF). After the first 15 competitors, only one racer failed to complete their run—Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen, the World Cup slalom season leader, who made an uncharacteristic mistake and staddled a gate.
Despite the technical demands, the course allowed for close competition, with twelve skiers finishing within one second of the leader, Timon Haugan. The tight margins promise an exciting second run as racers battle for the podium on one of the sport’s most prestigious stages.
Opportunity Beckons on the Ganslernhang
After the first 30 racers navigated the notoriously demanding Ganslernhang slope, only four failed to finish—a surprisingly low number on such a technical slope. Christian Mitter’s course design challenged skiers with variable gate distances but kept the pace manageable, allowing most of the World’s top slalom skiers to complete their runs.
With several other first 30 competitors finishing over two seconds behind the leader, there was significant opportunity for higher bib numbers to ski strong and qualify for the second run. The forgiving conditions and wide gaps on the leaderboard left room for surprises, setting the stage for an exciting second half of the race.
Higher Bibs Shine on the Ganslernhang
Seven racers with bibs higher than 30 qualified for the second run, taking advantage of the course’s manageable conditions. Leading the way was Britain’s Laurie Taylor, wearing bib 36, who posted the 18th-fastest time, finishing 1.41 seconds behind Timon Haugan.
France’s Hugo Desgrippes, starting with bib 57, was the last higher-bib racer to secure a spot in the second run. He delivered a strong performance to end the morning 23rd fastest, 1.76 seconds off the lead. These results underscore the opportunities for later starters to break through on the Ganslernhang slope.
Ritchie’s Rising Streak
Stifel U.S. Ski Team member Benjamin Ritchie continues to show progress, qualifying for the second run for the fourth consecutive race—the longest streak of his career. His steady improvement over the last year is evident, as he navigated the Ganslernhang slope to finish the morning in 23rd place. Ritchie’s time was 1.85 seconds slower than leader Timon Haugan, leaving him poised to push for a strong result in the second run.
Read Keeps the Streak Alive
Canadian veteran Erik Read will kick off the afternoon finale as the first racer on course. Read, who had not qualified for the second run of a slalom this season, secured the 30th and final qualifying spot, finishing 2.26 seconds behind leader Timon Haugan. Despite the challenging start to his season, Read extends his impressive streak, scoring slalom points for the 11th consecutive year—a testament to his consistency and determination.
Set for a Thrilling Second Run
With 12 racers finishing within one second of Haugan’s first-run time, the second run promises intense competition. The tight margins leave little room for error, and skiers will need to take risks on the demanding Ganslernhang slope to claim a podium spot. The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the Kitzbühel slalom.
First Run Results: Top 30 Finishers
Click images to enlarge
Analysis of the Fastest Three and North American Qualifiers
About the Author: Peter Lange
