Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Val d’Isère SL 2022: GEPA pictures
Val d’Isère Men’s World Cup Slalom: Who’s Racing, When, and How to Watch
Val d’Isère’s Snowy Past and Star-Studded Return
The Val d’Isère slalom is back after last season’s race was canceled due to heavy overnight snowfall, which left the race crew unable to prepare the course. This year’s event promises a star-studded showdown, with several big names eager to leave their mark.
During the 2022-23 season, the Val d’Isère slalom podium featured Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who was then skiing for Norway but now represents Brazil in honor of his mother’s heritage. Pinheiro Braathen, who took a season away from the sport, has made an impressive return, finishing fourth in Levi and earning a second-place finish in the Beaver Creek giant slalom. He’ll look to recapture his Val d’Isère glory.
Joining Pinheiro Braathen on that 2022 podium were Manuel Feller, the reigning slalom titleholder, and Loïc Meillard, Switzerland’s versatile all-around racer. While Meillard has started this season strong, Feller faces challenges after failing to finish his early races, digging himself a hole in his quest to defend his title.
Update on Clément Noël: A Question Mark for Val d’Isère
Noël has been the dominant force in this season’s slalom races, securing back-to-back victories in Levi and Gürgl. However, his participation in the Val d’Isère slalom is uncertain following a fall during Saturday’s World Cup GS.
According to an official communication from the French Federation, Noël suffered an ankle sprain. Imaging tests ruled out more serious injury, and he is undergoing treatment to optimize his chances of competing. A final decision on his participation will be made after his on-ski warm-up tomorrow morning.
If Noël can race, his consistency and precision make him the favorite to extend his winning streak. Should he be unable to compete, it would leave the field wide open for other contenders to capitalize on his absence. Either way, the outcome will be one of the key stories of the weekend in Val d’Isère.
Early Season Highlights: Podium Achievers
The 2024-25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup men’s slalom season is off to an exciting start, with two races already completed. These events have showcased thrilling performances and established a competitive tone for the upcoming races.
In Levi, Finland, Noël of France won, demonstrating his technical skill and consistency. Norwegian star Henrik Kristoffersen secured second place, while Meillard from Switzerland rounded out the podium in third.
The next slalom, in Gurgl, Austria, saw Noël repeating his triumph, solidifying his early-season dominance. Sweden’s Kristoffer Jakobsen achieved a career-best second place, and Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath claimed third, proving his versatility across events.
These podium finishes set the stage for another intense battle in Val d’Isère, where the world’s top slalom skiers will compete for glory.
List of 2024-25 Slalom Winners
- Levi, Finland: Clément Noël (FRA)
- Gurgl, Austria: Clément Noël (FRA)
The Return of Marco Schwarz
Austrian fans are eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated return of Marco Schwarz. The 29-year-old veteran will make his first appearance since a crash in the Bormio downhill on Dec. 28, 2023, sidelined him for nearly a year. Despite his injury-shortened season, Schwarz left a mark by winning the Madonna di Campiglio slalom just six days before his accident.
Known as one of the most well-rounded racers on the circuit, Schwarz is a standout in slalom. He captured the slalom season title in 2021 and remains a formidable competitor. His return adds excitement to Val d’Isère, where fans and competitors alike will watch closely to see if the Austrian star can reclaim his place among the sport’s elite.
Top 15 Men’s 2024-25 SL World Cup Standings
click images to enlarge
Notable Athletes Among the Top 15
The early season standings feature several intriguing storylines. Switzerland’s former Dartmouth skier Tanguy Nef, known for his talent but plagued by inconsistency in recent years, has managed to secure a spot among the top 15. Meanwhile, Croatia’s Samuel Kolega is making waves with his strongest early-season performances to date, solidifying his position as a slalom rising talent.
The biggest surprise, however, is Finland’s 21-year-old Eduard Hallberg, who has earned his first career World Cup points in both of this season’s opening slaloms. Hallberg’s breakout performances have catapulted him to 13th in the standings, showcasing the depth of talent emerging in the sport.
Additionally, Germany’s Linus Strasser, last season’s slalom runner-up, has had a rocky start. Strasser is ranked 15th after failing to qualify for the second run in Gurgl, where his equipment setup was clearly unsuitable for the snow conditions.
These stories highlight the unpredictable nature of the 2024-25 season and the challenges even top athletes face in maintaining their dominance.
Sixty-one men from 21 nations will start the men’s World Cup SL in Val d’Isère on Dec. 15, with Austria leading the field with eight qualified athletes on the start list. Eleven countries are represented among the first 30 on the start list, with Austria leading the field with seven athletes. This strong presence underscores the depth of talent within the Austrian slalom team as they aim for podium finishes this season.
R. Füss (AUT) will set the first run, and J. Vuignier (SUI will set the second run.
North American Skiers on the World Cup Slalom Start List
Four North American skiers who scored World Cup slalom points last season are set to compete in Val d’Isère. Three represent the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, while Canadian Erik Read competes independently, bringing experience and determination to the field.
Ben Ritchie: A Rising Contender
The standout North American slalom skier this season is Ben Ritchie of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. At just 24, Ritchie has shown impressive form early in the season, achieving a career-best 13th-place finish in Levi and a solid 21st in Gurgl. Including his performance in the final race of last season, he has now scored points in three consecutive World Cup slaloms.
His recent success is no coincidence. Ritchie’s improvements in consistency and performance reflect his hard work during the prep period, where he committed extensively to on-snow training. Ranked 34th on the World Cup Start List, Ritchie will start among the first 30 for the first time in his career, making him a serious contender in Val d’Isère.
Jett Seymour: Versatility and Potential
Jett Seymour, who led U.S. slalom skiers in points last season, achieved a season-best 15th place in Palisades Tahoe. He ended the season ranked 39th and currently sits 44th on the World Cup Start List (WCSL). Although Seymour has yet to complete a first run of slalom this season, his versatility on all surfaces and slopes makes him a strong contender. Look for Seymour to ignite his season on Sunday.
Erik Read: Canadian Experience
Canadian skier Erik Read, training independently with the World Racing Academy, is another key North American contender. Ranked 48th on the World Cup Start List, Read scored twice last season, with a top finish of 20th in Adelboden. His career-best result, an impressive 7th place in Kitzbühel, underscores his ability to deliver strong performances.
This season, Read has struggled, failing to finish in Levi and missing qualification in Gurgl. However, his slalom training has reportedly been going well, and he hopes to return to form in Val d’Isère, where his career-best finish is 17th.
River Radamus: Building Momentum
River Radamus, known for his GS and SG skills, rounds out the list of North Americans on the slalom start list. Ranked 50th, Radamus scored slalom points last season with a standout performance in Adelboden, starting dead last and finishing 19th. After a strong start this season in GS and SG, Radamus could carry his momentum into Val d’Isère and surprise the field.
North American Men on the World Cup SL Start List
Fresh Ambitions: Other North American Slalom Contenders Ready for Val d’Isère
Two additional North American skiers, aiming to establish themselves on the World Cup stage, will compete in Val d’Isère.
Val d’Isère offers a pivotal opportunity for Luke Winters of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team to reset his season. Once the leader of U.S. slalom rankings from 2020 to 2023, Winters faced challenges last season but remains a proven competitor at the highest level. He qualified for the World Cup Finals in 2022 and earned a career-best seventh place in Flachau, showcasing his ability to contend with the world’s best.
Starting at the back of the field has posed difficulties for Winters, and this season he has struggled to find form. He failed to finish the first run in Levi and didn’t ski well enough to qualify in Gürgl. Despite these setbacks, Winters is determined to return to his successful ways and has demonstrated he has the skill to compete at the top of the sport. Val d’Isère could be the turning point he needs.
Canada’s Simon Fournier, an independent racer training with the World Racing Academy, brings valuable experience to Val d’Isère. The reigning 2023-24 NorAm overall and giant slalom champion, Fournier also ranked as the second-highest 2023-24 NorAm slalom skier in North America, showcasing his potential in technical disciplines.
With 24 World Cup slalom starts, including two prior appearances in Val d’Isère, Fournier is still seeking his first World Cup points. This season, he has yet to finish a first run on the circuit. However, his proven talent and determination make him a skier to watch as he aims for a breakthrough performance.
For these two North American racers, Val d’Isère is another chance to establish themselves on the World Cup circuit and set the tone for a successful season.
North American men racing SL in Val d’Isère
- Bib 29, Benjamin Ritchie, Stifel USST, Green Mountain Valley School, HEAD
- Bib 31, Jett Seymour, Stifel USST, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, University of Denver
- Bib 42, Erik Read, CAN World Racing Academy, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic
- Bib 44, River Radamus, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, SYNC Shields
- Bib 50, Simon Fournier, Mont Tremblant Ski Club, University of Denver, SYNC
- Bib 58, Luke Winters, Stifel USST, Sugar Bowl Ski Academy, SYNC Shields
How and When to Watch
The first run starts at 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time and 1:00 a.m. Pacific Time, followed by the second run at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time and 4:00 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
