Zenhaeusern leads season-ending World Cup slalom

Ramon Zenhaeusern. GEPA pictures.

SOLDEU, Andorra — Swiss skier Ramon Zenhaeusern maintained his slim chance of winning the World Cup slalom title Sunday by posting the fastest opening-run time in the last race of the season.

Zenhaeusern started the day one of four athletes mathematically in contention for the 2023 slalom title. However, being 99 points behind Braathen, it will take him winning and a total collapse of the two Norwegians leading the standings.

Braathen, who leads the standings, is second (+0.26) behind the Swiss skier and Henrik Kristoffersen who is second in the standings, is (+0.80) back in fifth.

Braathen had the fastest splits in the middle sectors but finished 0.26 seconds behind Zenhaeusern in second after a mistake before the finishing flat.

Braathen would secure the discipline globe by holding on to that position in the final run later Sunday.

Kristoffersen trailed by 0.80 in fifth but would need to overtake teammate Braathen to have a shot at the title. Kristoffersen won the slalom title for the third time last season.

Austrian Fabio Gstrein, who has yet to earn a 2023 individual World Cup podium, is in third (+0.55) slower than the Swiss leader. Notably, the Norwegians have four racers among the fastest 10 and five skiers who qualified for the finals slalom.

The second run will decide who will win the 2023 men’s slalom title. The two likely contenders are only separated by 0.54 seconds. It will be the final run of the entire alpine World Cup and the only one with title implications.

It is evident with the men’s slalom title in the balance, the men are charging in the final race of the 2023 season. Three of the four men in slalom title contention are among the top five in the first-run standings. Only Daniel Yule, who started the day ranked third, struggled and is (+2.30) behind the leader Zenhaeusern.

First run results and Analysis of the fastest three

Analysis of the fastest three

The Associated Press contributed to this report.