Lucas Pinheiro Braathen / Wengen 2025 / GEPA pictures
Wengen men’s World Cup slalom: The deepest field in alpine skiing sets the stage
The Wengen men’s World Cup slalom on Sunday, January 18, arrives at one of the most technically demanding venues on the circuit — and one where light and visibility can subtly shape the race.
In clear sky conditions, sunlight at Wengen often improves visual contrast later in the first run start order, helping athletes read terrain, rolls, and rhythm changes more clearly. On a slope this complex, vision can be decisive. With conditions so far excellent, visibility could again influence how the race unfolds for the higher bibs.
That nuance matters even more this season because men’s slalom is the most competitive field in alpine skiing. Through six races, five different skiers have won, nine different athletes have reached the podium, and six nations have shared podium finishes. There is no dominant force — only form, execution, and risk management.
Sunday’s race is also the seventh of nine slaloms before the Olympic break and the final opportunity for U.S. men to qualify on criteria for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic team. After Wengen, the discussion turns to limited discretionary spots, with the U.S. holding precious few quotas and the risk of losing another before team naming.
Top five — men’s World Cup slalom season standings (after Adelboden)
This list reflects who is actually skiing best right now, not reputation or past seasons.
- 1) Paco Rassat 🇫🇷 (FRA) — 1998 — 340 pts — Leader — HEAD
- 2) Clément Noël 🇫🇷 (FRA) — 1997 — 314 pts — –26
- 3) Timon Haugan 🇳🇴 (NOR) — 1996 — 285 pts — –55
- 4) Atle Lie McGrath 🇳🇴 (NOR) — 2000 — 272 pts — –68 — HEAD
- 5) Lucas Pinheiro Braathen 🇧🇷 (BRA) — 2000 — 271 pts — –69
After six races, the top five are separated by just 69 points, underscoring the volatility and depth that define men’s slalom this season.
Elite start group: form, not reputation
The first seed start group reinforces the same theme — multiple styles, multiple nations, no margin for error.
(Bib order)
- Bib 1 — Henrik Kristoffersen 🇳🇴 — 1994
- Bib 2 — Loïc Meillard 🇨🇭 — 1996
- Bib 3 — Clément Noël 🇫🇷 — 1997
- Bib 4 — Timon Haugan 🇳🇴 — 1996
- Bib 5 — Atle Lie McGrath 🇳🇴 — 2000 — HEAD
- Bib 6 — Paco Rassat 🇫🇷 — 1998 — HEAD
- Bib 7 — Lucas Pinheiro Braathen 🇧🇷 — 2000
This group reflects current form, not historical hierarchy — a defining trait of the discipline right now.
🇺🇸 Stifel U.S. Ski Team: last chance on results
For the U.S. men, Wengen is the final race to qualify under the Olympic slalom criteria. After Sunday, selection shifts toward discretion, with very limited quota flexibility.
Only two Americans have scored slalom points this season, totaling seven combined, highlighting how unforgiving the discipline has been.
- Bib 29 — Ben Ritchie 🇺🇸 — 2000 — HEAD
Ritchie anchors the U.S. effort. Last season, he scored in nine races, recorded three top-10 finishes, and posted a career-best seventh at the World Cup Finals. He finished 17th overall, qualifying for the elite top-25 Finals field, where only the top 15 score points. - Bib 47 — Jett Seymour 🇺🇸 — 1998 — Season WC SL Rank: 51 — Atomic
Seymour earned his only 2026 World Cup slalom points with a 29th-place finish in Alta Badia, but is showing progression. - Bib 52 — Cooper Puckett 🇺🇸 — 2003 — Season WC SL Rank: 48 — HEAD
Puckett scored five points at Levi in his first career World Cup slalom, a major early milestone.
With Wengen’s terrain and improving light later in the first run order, timing will matter as much as aggression.
🇨🇦 Canada: experience meets opportunity
Canada fields one starter, but one with deep experience.
- Bib 63 — Erik Read 🇨🇦 (CAN) — 1996 — Atomic
Read has scored World Cup slalom points in each of the last 11 seasons and has been close to the points this year. On a hill where terrain reading and vision are critical, Wengen’s conditions could work in his favor.
🇬🇧 Great Britain: depth, momentum, and a farewell
Great Britain arrives with four starters, three of them ranked inside the top 30 this season — a powerful indicator of program depth.
- Bib 14 — Dave Ryding 🇬🇧 (GBR) — 1986 — Season WC SL Rank: 20 — HEAD
Ryding, the most successful British alpine skier in history, is retiring at the end of the season, making Wengen one of his final appearances — a swan song at one of slalom’s most demanding venues. - Bib 23 — Laurie Taylor 🇬🇧 (GBR) — 1996 — Season WC SL Rank: 16 — HEAD
- Bib 32 — Billy Major 🇬🇧 (GBR) — 1996 — Season WC SL Rank: 29 — HEAD
- Bib 62 — Luca Carrick-Smith 🇬🇧 (GBR) — 2005 (Independent)
With excellent snow conditions and improving visibility later in the draw, GBR’s depth could again translate into results.
What to watch Sunday
- Light and visibility as a competitive variable
- The deepest field in alpine skiing
- Olympic qualification pressure for the U.S.
- Dave Ryding’s farewell run at Wengen
- And a race where nothing is predictable
Course setters — First run: Martin KROISLEITNER (AUT): Second run: Ola MASDAL (NOR)
Men’s Slalom Race
The men’s slalom is set for Sunday, January 18th. Run one begins at 4:00 a.m. ET / 1:00 a.m. PT, followed by run two at 7:00 a.m. ET / 4:00 a.m. PT. Fans in Great Britain can tune in at 9:00 for the first run and 12:00 for the second.
How to Watch
- 🇺🇸 United States: Live and replay coverage on Ski and Snowboard Live
- 🇨🇦 Canada: Live streaming on CBC Sports.
- 🇬🇧 Great Britain: Both races air live on Discovery+
Daily Program
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First Run Starlist
About the Author: Peter Lange
