Timon Haugan Works Through Equipment Issue Ahead of Levi Slalom

Timon Haugan / Hafjell 2026 World Cup Slalom Finals / GEPA pictures

Norway holds the top three spots on the men’s slalom World Cup Start List (WCSL) heading into Levi this weekend. Atle Lie McGrath leads the list, followed by Henrik Kristoffersen and Timon Haugan.

Last season, Haugan raced through nearly unbearable back pain and still delivered strong results, including two World Cup slalom victories.

His back feels better this season, but his skiing and equipment have not felt right during the preseason.

A few days ago, the team found the reason: A binding-plate adjustment made during spring training in April was never returned to Haugan’s usual setting. He trained with the altered setup through the preseason and now needs to readjust his technique after weeks of compensating for it.

Preseason Struggles

During a media session on Wednesday, Haugan described his preparation for the first slalom race as demanding.

“I’ve really struggled with both my skiing and the equipment, and it’s taking a bit of a toll on my confidence.”

After focusing on giant slalom before the Sölden World Cup opener in October, Haugan shifted his attention to slalom in recent weeks. Things have not gone as he had hoped.

“There are minor issues with my timing, my movements, and things like that. It started in New Zealand; I struggled with my skiing there and wondered if it had to do with my equipment. I felt like something was a bit ‘off,’ and I couldn’t quite understand what it was,” Haugan explained.

A Matter of Millimeters

Now, Haugan’s team has found the reason.

“There’s an adjustment you can make to the plate that changes how aggressive the ski feels,” Haugan explained.

In April, his team adjusted the plates on all his skis to make them calmer and less aggressive. Haugan said the setup can be challenging, although he likes how aggressive it feels.

This fall, he unintentionally continued to ski with the less aggressive setup.

“It’s made the skis feel completely dead.”

Haugan said, “When I don’t get that help into the turn like I’m used to, I get sloppy with my technique.”

Working Back to Normal

Skiing with the incorrect setup for a while has affected his technique.

“I feel like I’ve picked up some bad habits I didn’t have before.”

Since returning to the setup he used for the previous four years, Haugan has noticed improvement over the past couple of days.

“But not quite to where I’d like to be ahead of the first slalom race,” Haugan said Wednesday.

“I hope that after the training on Saturday in Levi, things are going to feel a lot better. And hopefully I’ll have the confidence back and be ready to go full attack on Sunday. That’s what I wish for.”

Mental Reset Needed

The struggles with his equipment and technique have been challenging.

“It’s definitely tough mentally, and it’s been pretty intense the last days. We had five days of skiing in six days.”

Two days off from skiing this week will give Haugan a chance to relax and think about something else.

“Hopefully, I can be back stronger on Saturday,” he said.

Fewer Back Problems

Although Haugan describes his skiing as difficult ahead of Levi, he also sees positives in his preseason preparation.

“I had a good summer with good dryland training where I worked the small back muscles. Now, I feel very pain free, which feels amazing,” Haugan told Ski Racing Media earlier this fall.

“First of all, just to get a break from skiing [this summer] helps a lot with the back, because skiing is so hard on the body.

“Adding the dryland training and working with the physios and my trainers at the gym in Oslo has helped a lot. I’ve really tried to build up my back muscles again.

“Also, to not have the stress, the everyday stress with waking up having to perform at a race… To just take that away for some months has really helped,” Haugan explained.

After resting and focusing on dryland training over the summer, Haugan returned to skiing for six weeks in New Zealand.

“I was a bit nervous going into the first ski camp but, luckily, I had almost no [back] issues at all.”

2026-27 Season Goals

Before the season began, Haugan had clear goals.

“To stay injury free and hopefully win some races. That’s the goal every race; to get to the top of the podium.

“I feel like I have more in me and I want to take another step in giant slalom, as well as become more stable in slalom,” Haugan told Ski Racing Media in October.

On Wednesday, Haugan reflected on past experiences and current challenges.

“I’ve experienced struggles and tough times and have seen [myself] going from my lowest low to my highest high in just a few days before. So, I know this is not necessarily something that is going to last for a long time.

“I know it can change like this,” he said and snapped his fingers. “That’s what I hope for.

“But I have not experienced something as serious with the skiing and the technique and the feeling on skis before, so it’s kind of a different challenge,” he added.

Haugan’s Special Helmet

Earlier this fall, Haugan was excited to secure a personal helmet sponsorship after the Norwegian Ski Federation changed its rules on skiers’ helmet marketing rights.

Speaking with Ski Racing Media in October, Haugan recalled how he felt when he first received sponsored equipment as a young racer in Oppdal, Norway.

“I remember one of my first sponsored things was a helmet from Sweet Protection. I got it through one of the dealerships in Oppdal. I grew up going into that store and just looking at all the best gear from every company in all sorts of sports. Sweet Protection was one of them.

“It was 13 years ago when I got my first free helmet and a pair of Oakley goggles, and that was a big day,” Haugan told Ski Racing Media.

“I was very proud and that was a big milestone.”

The Meaning of a Sponsorship

After years of training, Haugan has become one of a small number of athletes with a Red Bull helmet sponsorship.

How does that make him feel, and what would the young Timon think?

“To be honest, it still feels a little bit unreal,” Haugan shared in October.

“I think every athlete in every sport would not say no to a Red Bull sponsorship. It’s a good label; it shows that you’ve done something right, and to be part of Red Bull can open many doors and can give you a lot of opportunities.

“I’m very honored and super thankful to have gotten this sponsorship. I think little Timon would be pretty stoked!” Haugan said with a smile.

Haugan’s Path to Success

What key elements brought Haugan this far?

“I think just the hard work over many years.

“My way into Red Bull is a bit different than many others’. Usually, Red Bull picks up young athletes, but I had a little other way and just kept improving my results. Eventually I got a foot in the door and got in,” Haugan, who turns 30 in December, said.

When Haugan earned a spot on Norway’s European Cup team, he began to realize he could reach the World Cup.

“It was almost 11 years ago. I knew that if I got into the Norwegian national team, everything was just up to me. I always believed in me and I always thought, ‘If I just work hard, I can make it to the top.’ I think you really need to have that in the bottom, where you really believe in yourself and work hard,” Haugan said.

Haugan will draw on those skills and his determination as he works toward his goals this season.