Timon Haugan: GEPA pictures
SUN VALLEY, Idaho — Norway’s Timon Haugen set the tone in the final slalom of the season, delivering a powerful and dynamic first run on a soft and deteriorating surface to lead at the Stifel Sun Valley World Cup Finals on Thursday.
Haugen, starting second, crossed in 51.39 seconds and held off strong challenges from Clément Noël of France and slalom standings leader Henrik Kristoffersen. Noël finished just 0.10 seconds behind, skiing with clear urgency as he chases an unlikely path to the season title. Kristoffersen, who skied first, sits third at +0.14 and remains on track to secure the slalom globe.
Four within a second
Austria’s Fabio Gstrein sits fourth, +0.43 off Haugen, followed by Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen at +0.54. Both skied with strong energy and rhythm but couldn’t match the clean transitions Haugen generated through the middle sectors. Three of the top five—Kristoffersen, Haugan, and Pinheiro Braathen—have Norwegian roots, a testament to Norway’s deep technical talent.
Sweden’s Kristoffer Jakobsen (+1.43) and Germany’s Linus Strasser (+1.47) round out the top seven, both still in striking distance. Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard, the newly crowned slalom World Champion, sits eighth at +1.68. His second run will need to be exceptional to climb back into podium contention. With Noël needing to win and Kristoffersen needing to falter to change the season standings, the odds now heavily favor the Norwegian.
Ritchie Delivers
Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Ben Ritchie continued his breakout season by qualifying for the second run in his first World Cup Finals appearance. The 24-year-old sits 15th after the opening run, 2.37 seconds off the lead. He attacked the course with intent, staying clean through all four sectors. With a fresher course in the afternoon’s reversed start order, Ritchie will be one of the first out of the gate and has a strong chance to move up.
It has been a season of growth for Ritchie under the guidance of new coach Tristan Glasse-Davies, and he’s poised to end the year on a high.
Afternoon drama awaits
The first run saw 25 athletes finish, with only Atle Lie McGrath failing to complete the course. The snow continued to soften, but with the help of chemicals the racers should experience improving conditions.
Action resumes at 1:00 p.m. MDT / 12:00 p.m. PDT / 3:00 p.m. EDT, with skiers starting in reverse order of their first run times. That format puts pressure on the top contenders, who will face the most worn course as they chase one final podium—and a possible season title.
First Run SL Results
Click images to enlarge
Run analysis of the fastest five and Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Ben Ritchie
About the Author: Peter Lange
