Benny Raich, Hans Knauss, Michael Von Gruenigen Hafjell GS 2003: GEPA pictures
Hafjell: Men’s World Cup GS: Who’s Racing, Why, When and How to Watch
A Return to Hafjell’s Olympic Slope
For the first time since 2003, the Men’s World Cup technical races return to Hafjell, Norway. The storied Olympia-Løypa slope will host Saturday’s giant slalom, marking the first men’s GS at the venue in over two decades.
Hafjell, located in Norway’s Gudbrandsdalen Valley, gained global recognition as a host site for the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. The resort has since staged multiple international events, including the World Cup Finals in 1996 and 2003, the Women’s World Cup in 2006, and the Youth Olympic Games in 2016.
The Olympia-Løypa course has hosted three previous Men’s World Cup giant slalom races, with past winners including Italy’s Alberto Tomba (1991), Switzerland’s Urs Kälin (1996), and Austria’s Hans Knauss (2003). In addition to its World Cup history, Hafjell was also the venue for the 1994 Olympic men’s giant slalom, where Germany’s Markus Wasmeier claimed gold.
The course starts at 645 meters above sea level and drops 400 meters to the finish at 245 meters. Its technical and demanding layout will test the world’s best GS skiers.
Season Finale with High Stakes
Saturday’s giant slalom in Hafjell is more than just a long-awaited return—it’s the final men’s GS of the regular season. With crucial points on the line, the race will play a key role in deciding the season title, World Cup Finals qualification, and future starting positions.
Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt is aiming for his fifth consecutive GS season title, but Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen has a chance to close the gap on home snow. A strong performance here could keep the fight alive heading into the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
For many skiers, Hafjell represents a final opportunity. Only the top 25 in the season standings qualify for the Finals, making this an essential race for those on the bubble. Others will aim to improve their rankings or score World Cup points to break into the top 60 on the World Cup Start List, which determines how many starting spots each nation earns for next season. Every point matters in this season-defining showdown.
Season GS Podium Recap
| Event Location | First Place | Second Place | Third Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sölden, Austria | Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) | Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) |
| Beaver Creek, USA | Thomas Tumler (SUI) | Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) | Žan Kranjec (SLO) |
| Val d’Isère, France | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Patrick Feurstein (AUT) | Stefan Brennsteiner (AUT) |
| Alta Badia, Italy | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Léo Anguenot (FRA) | Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) |
| Adelboden, Switzerland | Marco Odermatt (SUI) | Loïc Meillard (SUI) | Luca De Aliprandini (ITA) |
| Schladming, Austria | Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) | Marco Odermatt (SUI) |
| Kranjska Gora, Slovenia | Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) | Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) | Marco Odermatt (SUI) |
Race Winners (4 Different Skiers)
- Marco Odermatt (SUI) – 3 wins (Val d’Isère, Alta Badia, Adelboden)
- Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) – 2 wins (Sölden, Schladming)
- Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) – 1 win (Kranjska Gora)
- Thomas Tumler (SUI) – 1 win (Beaver Creek)
Widespread Success Across Seven Nations
This season’s GS podiums have featured 11 different skiers from 7 countries, highlighting the depth of competition. Norway and Switzerland have led the way with the most podiums, while Austria, Brazil, France, Italy, and Slovenia have also secured top-three finishes.
- Switzerland (7 podiums) – Marco Odermatt, Thomas Tumler, Loïc Meillard
- Norway (7 podiums) – Henrik Kristoffersen, Alexander Steen Olsen, Atle Lie McGrath
- Brazil (2 podiums) – Lucas Pinheiro Braathen
- Austria (2 podiums) – Patrick Feurstein, Stefan Brennsteiner
- France (1 podium) – Léo Anguenot
- Italy (1 podium) – Luca De Aliprandini
- Slovenia (1 podium) – Žan Kranjec
Current Top 15 Men’s 2025 GS World Cup Standings
click images to enlarge
Top 15 GS Skiers by Nation
After seven of the nine scheduled GS races, a total of 9 countries have at least one skier in the top 15 of the GS season standings:
- Norway (4) – Kristoffersen, Steen Olsen, McGrath, Haugan
- Switzerland (3) – Odermatt, Meillard, Tumler
- Austria (3) – Brennsteiner, Feurstein
- Italy (2) – De Aliprandini
- Brazil (1) – Pinheiro Braathen
- Slovenia (1) – Kranjec
- Croatia (1) – Zubčić
- USA (1) – Radamus
- Andorra (1) – Verdú
This highlights a competitive season with strong representation from multiple nations.
Top Five and Their Differential to Odermatt
| Rank | Skier | Country | Points | Differential to Odermatt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Odermatt | SUI | 420 | — |
| 2 | Henrik Kristoffersen | NOR | 379 | -41 |
| 3 | Alexander Steen Olsen | NOR | 301 | -119 |
| 4 | Lucas Pinheiro Braathen | BRA | 241 | -179 |
| 5 | Žan Kranjec | SLO | 237 | -183 |
Odermatt holds a solid lead in the GS standings, but Kristoffersen and Steen Olsen remain within striking distance. With just two races left, they could challenge for the title if they deliver strong performances and Odermatt falters. Pinheiro Braathen and Kranjec are still mathematically in contention, but their path to the title would require perfect results and significant setbacks for all three frontrunners.
Sixty-one men from 23 countries will compete in the Men’s World Cup Giant Slalom in Hafjell, Norway on Saturday, March 15.
Peter Fill (ITA) set the first course, and Julien Vuignier will set the second course.
Radamus Leads the U.S. Charge
River Radamus is the top-ranked American in the GS standings, currently sitting in 13th place. He has been a model of consistency this season, finishing inside the top 15 in every World Cup GS race. His best result came on home snow in Beaver Creek, where he secured an impressive seventh place.
Patrick Kenney, an independent skier competing with Global Racing, has shown flashes of speed throughout the season. He has qualified for three GS races and scored points in two, currently ranked 38th. With solid performances under his belt, he’ll be aiming to capitalize on Hafjell’s Olympic slope and finish his season with another strong result.
Bridger Gile made a breakthrough in Kranjska Gora, scoring his first-ever World Cup GS points with a 24th-place finish. Now ranked 48th in the season standings, he will aim to build on his momentum and add more points before wrapping up his 2025 World Cup camp
2024-25 North American Men’s World Cup GS Rankings
Erik Read Carries Canada’s Hopes
Erik Read, an independent World Cup skier training with the World Racing Academy, will be Canada’s lone representative in Hafjell’s giant slalom. Currently ranked 42nd in the GS standings, he earned his only World Cup points this season with a 20th-place finish in Alta Badia. Despite a frustrating season, Read has one final chance to add to his total and end his 2025 World Cup campaign on a high note.
What to Watch in Hafjell
With two GS races left, Marco Odermatt leads the standings, but Henrik Kristoffersen and Alexander Steen Olsen are still in contention, with Kristoffersen racing on home snow. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and Žan Kranjec remain long-shot title contenders.
This race is the skiers’ final chance to break into the top 25 and qualify for the World Cup Finals. Others will battle for crucial World Cup points to secure a top-60 spot on the World Cup Start List, ensuring their nations maximize their starting positions for the opening races next season.
River Radamus leads the U.S. among the North Americans, while Patrick Kenney and Bridger Gile aim to add points. Erik Read is Canada’s lone racer, aiming to end his season on a high note.
North American Men Racing GS
- Bib 17, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, SYNC Shields
- Bib 38, Bridger Gile, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, HEAD, Oakley, SYNC Shields
- Bib 40, Erik Read, CAN World Racing Academy, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic
- Bib 44, Patrick Kenney, USA, Global Racing, University of New Hampshire, Burke Moutain Academy, Marker/Völkl, SYNC, SHRED
How and When to Watch
The first run starts at 4:30 a.m. Eastern and 1:30 a.m. Pacific Time, followed by the second run at 7:30 a.m. Eastern and 4:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski and Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and First Run Start List
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First Run Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
