Lie McGrath celebrates podium sweep with Haugan and Kristoffersen: GEPA pictures
Afternoon Sun Sets the Stage
The Wengen, Männlichen race slope bathed in its traditional improved afternoon light, offered racers excellent conditions and a well-set course. With the stage perfectly prepared, the finale promised a thrilling and dramatic conclusion to the Wengen slalom.
Norway Sweeps the Podium in Wengen
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Haugan Leads with Five to Go
With only the fastest five from the first run left to race, Norwegian Timon Haugan sat atop the leaderboard. The first of the final five to challenge him was Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. Known for his high-energy style, Pinheiro Braathen attacked the course aggressively and seemed poised to take the lead until a significant mistake cost him precious time. He crossed the finish line temporarily in eighth place and finished twelfth.
“It’s incredible. I joked with the guys in Sölden, asking, ‘Can you give me a triple in slalom this year?’ And now, we’ve already done it,” Haugan said with a laugh.
Despite a win in Alta Badia in December, consistency has been challenging this season for the 28-year-old. Even as he entered the finish arena on Sunday, he wasn’t convinced he’d secured his second podium of the season.
“I didn’t have a good feeling when I crossed the line and was surprised when I saw the time,” Haugan admitted. “I made some mistakes, and the rollers were extremely difficult, so I’m really happy to have a great result here.”
The result moves Haugen up to fifth in the Slalom Crystal Globe standings, capping off a day that underscored Norway’s dominance and his own potential for more success this season.
Yule Thrills Home Crowd
Swiss star Daniel Yule followed, igniting cheers from the home crowd as he skied the course aggressively and determined. Crossing the finish line, Yule provisionally moved into third place behind Haugan and his teammate Loïc Meillard. However, with faster skiers still to come, Yule was bumped down the rankings and ended the day in sixth, leaving the Swiss fans proud but just short of a podium celebration..
Nef Narrowly Misses the Lead
Next up was Tanguy Nef, the third-fastest from the first run and another Swiss hopeful. A former NCAA All-American with Dartmouth College, Nef brought his trademark athleticism to the course, keeping Haugan on the edge of the leader’s seat throughout his run. Despite his best efforts, he crossed the line just 0.15 seconds short of the Norwegian, sliding into second place with only two racers left to ski.
Racing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Nef delivered a career-best performance, ultimately finishing in fourth place. While he narrowly missed the podium, the Swiss fans celebrated his remarkable achievement on home soil.
Kristoffersen Secures a Podium Spot
The penultimate skier, Henrik Kristoffersen, entered the course with the confidence of a slalom season standings leader. The Norwegian star delivered a brilliant and aggressive run, crossing the finish line in second place, just behind his teammate Haugan. With only one skier left to compete, Kristoffersen guaranteed Norway at least two spots on the podium and a victory, underscoring the team’s dominance in the discipline.
“If I was three-tenths faster in the last four races, it would have looked insane. Now, it looks really good, but we just have to keep pushing and keep working. Eventually, the margins will come to our side—that’s how it works,” Kristoffersen said.
The 30-year-old Norwegian, sitting comfortably at the top of the Slalom rankings, knows where he can improve.
“Maybe I’m a little bit hot in the head,” he admitted. “I might want it too much, going in a little early at times and hitting the tracks wrong. Instead of calming down and hitting the tracks clean, I’m pushing too hard. But that’s how it is.”
Even with these minor adjustments in mind, Kristoffersen remains a dominant force. With his consistency, he not only leads the Slalom standings but is also second in the GS and Overall rankings, behind only Marco Odermatt. If those “margins” shift his way, Kristoffersen could well mount a serious challenge to the Swiss star.
Lie McGrath Clinches Victory and Norwegian Sweep
Finally, Atle Lie McGrath, the fastest from the first run, stepped into the start gate. The 24-year-old Norwegian, already under pressure with two teammates in podium positions, delivered an assertive and dynamic run. Lie McGrath secured his first slalom victory of the season and the third of his career, marking his first win since March 2022. Haugan claimed second place after an incredible climb up the leaderboard during the second run, while Kristoffersen rounded out the podium in third. The day belonged to the Norwegian team, showcasing their dominance in the discipline.
Here’s an improved version of Atle Lie McGrath’s quotes with enhanced flow and emotional resonance:
“It’s been three years since my last win, and this victory means so much to me. Coming down and seeing the green light felt incredible. Winning here in Wengen is overwhelming, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who’s supported me along the way. This is, without a doubt, one of the best moments of my life.”
Confirming his earlier thoughts, Lie McGrath added: “This moment is truly unbelievable. At the start, I knew it was already a double Norwegian podium, and I felt a huge responsibility to make it a triple. To see the green light was a memory I’ll brag about to my kids someday. Sharing the podium with my teammates is something truly special, and feeling the energy from everyone here in Wengen made it even better. This is a day I’ll cherish forever.”
Reflecting on his performance, he continued: “This was the second time in a row, in a week, where I had over half a second lead, and today I decided to ski smart. If it was enough, it was enough. When it turned out to be enough, I just couldn’t believe it. All the emotions bottled up over the last years and weeks came pouring out at once.” – Atle Lie McGrath
Early Talent Sets the Stage
As the second run began, several talented, highly ranked skiers who had finished toward the back of the top 30 promised a thrilling train of lead changes. Among them, Swiss star Meillard stood out as the highest-ranked competitor.
The sixth skier to attack the course, Meillard skied with authority, thrilling the home crowd. He crossed the finish line with a commanding 0.74-second lead over Sweden’s Kristoffer Jakobsen, who had briefly held the top spot. Taking his place in the leader’s chair, Meillard began his steady ascent up the leaderboard.
Ryding Challenges but Falls Short
The next skier to threaten Meillard’s lead was Britain’s Dave Ryding. Despite delivering an excellent performance, Ryding crossed the finish line 0.73 seconds behind the Swiss leader, settling into second place. With 20 skiers still to compete, the leaderboard remained far from decided, and the tension continued to build.
Rassat Narrows the Gap
France’s Paco Rassat, skiing twelfth, came even closer to dethroning Meillard. His smooth yet aggressive run brought him within 0.15 seconds of the Swiss skier, momentarily securing second place and raising the stakes as the second run progressed.
Midfield Recap: Meillard Holds the Lead
After the first half of the field had completed their second runs, Meillard remained firmly in the lead. France’s Paco Rassat held second place, just 0.15 seconds behind, while Bulgaria’s Albert Popov sat in third, delivering a strong performance to keep himself in contention.
The only skier who failed to finish during the first half was Norway’s Alexander Steen Olsen, whose promising run ended prematurely, narrowing the competition for the podium.
Haugan Finally Dethrones Meillard
With only 10 skiers remaining, Meillard still led the field, with Austrian Marco Schwarz moving into second place and his teammate Manuel Feller in third. The Swiss skier, who started the second run in 24th, had already climbed an impressive 13 spots on the leaderboard by this point.
It was Haugan who finally ended Meillard’s reign at the top. Haugan’s bold and aggressive run showcased his determination and skill, propelling him into the lead and setting the bar for the remaining competitors. Haugan eventually secured second place, marking a significant achievement for the Norwegian. Despite being dethroned, Meillard delivered an outstanding performance, finishing fifth overall after climbing a remarkable 19 positions during the second run.
Ritchie Fades but Builds on Success
Running 22nd in the second run, Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Ben Ritchie looked to capitalize on his career-best eighth-fastest first run. Ritchie started strong, but as the course progressed, he lost speed toward the finish. He had fallen 10 spots to 11th place when he crossed the line.
Ritchie ultimately finished the day in 18th, marking his third-best career result. While the final outcome may not have matched his earlier promise, the performance added significantly to his season’s point total, reflecting his continued growth and consistency on the World Cup circuit.
“I was really happy with my first run—it felt solid and fast, especially starting from my bib. In the second run, I was feeling great, but I played it too safe on the bottom section. In a tight race like today, that cost me quite a bit. Still, it’s a step in the right direction. I started the season with bib 46, and now I’m working my way into the top 30. It’s exciting to see the progress.” – Benjamin Ritchie
Rac Results
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Analysis of the Fastest Three and USA’s Benjamin Ritchie
About the Author: Peter Lange
