Ben Ritchie, Levi 2024, GEPA pictures
The men’s World Cup slalom tour comes to life Sunday in Levi, Finland, where a deep field of proven winners, rising talents, and established stars will kick off the new season under the lights of one of the sport’s most distinctive venues. Last year’s Levi race delivered big moments and breakout performances, and this opener promises even more drama.
This season carries even greater weight. As an Olympic year, every result matters — from athletes fighting to earn selection to their national Olympic teams to established stars chasing the best possible start position for Bormio, where a strong bib number could shape their medal opportunity. The road to the Games begins here, and Levi’s opener sets the tone for the entire winter.
A Perfect Opener Above the Arctic Circle
The men’s World Cup slalom season launches Sunday under the brilliant lights of the Levi Black race arena, a spectacular venue perched above the Arctic Circle. Levi has become the ideal place to open the slalom campaign — consistent early-winter snow, crisp Arctic air, and a course that rewards athletes who can attack every section of its variable race slope.
Warm temperatures followed by significant snowfall on Tuesday and Wednesday challenged preparations, but the Levi race crew — guided by FIS — worked tirelessly through the weather. They battled the elements all week and will still deliver the best possible surface for Sunday’s season opener.
Noël’s Dominance Set the Tone Last Year
One year ago, French superstar Clément Noël opened the season with a stunning performance. He won by 0.80 seconds over eventual 2025 slalom globe winner Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR), skiing with total commitment and exceptional timing. Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard, now the reigning slalom world champion, finished 0.95 back in third.
Noël seemed poised for a dominant winter until a giant slalom crash in Val d’Isère halted his momentum. His return to Levi adds instant electricity to Sunday’s opener.
A Deep Field Ready to Strike
Last year’s fourth-place finisher, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, made headlines by climbing from bib 33 to the edge of the podium during his comeback season — his first representing Brazil.
Behind him, former Dartmouth standout Tanguy Nef finished fifth, 1.38 seconds behind Noël, sparking a career-best campaign that carried him to eighth in the final slalom standings.
This season’s field is loaded, experienced, and unpredictable — exactly what fans hope for from the slalom opener.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Brings Momentum and Depth
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team arrives with confidence after meaningful progress last season under head coach Tristan Glasse-Davies, the former British coach who elevated the team’s technical foundation, efficiency, and attitude.
Benjamin Ritchie delivered a breakout performance in Levi last year, finishing what was then a career-best 13th — a benchmark he later surpassed during his strongest World Cup season. He qualified for his first World Cup Finals and now returns as the American leader.
Ritchie is joined by a strong U.S. group:
- Jett Seymour
- Luke Winters
- Cooper Puckett
- World Cup rookie Stanley Buzek, the Summit County talent who will race for the University of Colorado Buffaloes this winter.
The Americans enter the opener with renewed belief and meaningful depth.
Canadian Consistency Meets New Opportunity
Canada sends two racers:
- Erik Read, aiming to extend his remarkable streak of scoring World Cup slalom points into a 12th straight season, a testament to both talent and durability.
- Liam Wallace, who has 17 World Cup slalom starts and will make his first appearance in Levi.
Read’s consistency remains one of the quiet marvels of modern slalom.
A Historic Four-Man British Lineup
Great Britain will field four men for the first time in a World Cup race — a milestone for the rising British slalom program.
Sunday’s starters:
- Dave Ryding, the veteran star and 2022 Kitzbühel winner
- Billy Major
- Laurie Taylor
- World Cup rookie Luca Carrick-Smith, age 20, making his debut
Ryding qualified for the second run in Levi last season but finished a disappointing 16th. He returns determined to push higher, while Carrick-Smith’s debut marks an important moment for British skiing.
Norway Missing a Bright Young Star
Norway begins the season without Alexander Steen Olsen, one of the most talented young technical skiers on the circuit. The 24-year-old is a World Cup slalom winner, but a painful and persistent knee issue has limited his slalom training for two seasons. Despite that, he still delivered an outstanding GS campaign last winter, finishing fourth overall.
Steen Olsen withdrew from the season-opening GS in Sölden due to knee pain, and the Norwegian federation confirmed this week that his future remains uncertain as they evaluate possible surgery.
“We have tried various treatments, but unfortunately the situation is not compatible with alpine racing right now,” said team doctor Trond Floberghagen.
His absence will be deeply felt by fans and by a Norwegian team that knows how valuable he is when healthy.
What to Watch Sunday
Levi’s opener always reveals who arrived with early-season sharpness. The slope demands excellent timing, clean movement, and the courage to stay aggressive through every terrain shift. Levi rewards athletes who embrace risk.
With Noël’s comeback, Kristoffersen’s title defense, Meillard’s world champion form, Braathen’s artistry, Nef’s momentum, and the rising depth of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Sunday’s race has all the ingredients for a powerful start to the slalom season.
Ski Racing Media will provide full first-run and second-run coverage as the men’s slalom season begins above the Arctic Circle — where the winter lights shine bright and the chase for the globe officially begins.
Course setters — First run: Pavel Grasic (CRO) Second run: Thierry Meynet (SUI)
How to Watch
The men’s slalom is on Sunday, Nov. 16, with a 4:00 a.m. EDT / 1:00 a.m. PDT start for run one and 7:00 a.m. EDT / 4:00 a.m. PDT for run two.
- United States: Live and replay coverage on Ski and Snowboard Live
- Canada: Stream on CBC Sports.
- Great Britain: Both races air live on Discovery+ — first run 9:00 a.m., second run 12:00 p.m. UK time.
North Americans and British in Levi: World Cup Start List and FIS Rankings — FIS Rank Only Shown if Outside Top 30 on WCSL
- Dave Ryding, WCSL 13, GB Snowsport, HEAD
- Benjamin Ritchie, WCSL 17, Stifel USST, Green Mountain Valley School, HEAD
- Billy Major, WCSL 32, FIS Rank 34, GB Snowsport, HEAD
- Laurie Taylor, WCSL 38, FIS Rank 32, GB Snowsport, HEAD
- Jett Seymour, WCSL 48, FIS Rank 46, Stifel USST, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, University of Denver, Atomic
- Luke Winters, FIS Rank 53, Stifel USST, Sugar Bowl Ski Academy
- Stanley Buzek, FIS Rank 78, Stifel USST, Team Summit WORLD CUP ROOKIE
- Luca Carrick-Smith, FIS Rank 82, GB Snowsport, WORLD CUP ROOKIE
- Erik Read, WCSL 52, FIS Rank 84, World Racing Academy, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic, SYNC
- Cooper Puckett, FIS Rank 91, Stifel USST, Dartmouth College, SSWSC, Steamboat Mountain School, HEAD, SHRED
- Liam Wallace, FIS Rank 127, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers, University of Alaska Anchorage, SHRED
About the Author: Peter Lange
