Kranjska Gora, Slovenia – Norwegian Atle McGrath continued his impressive form, winning the slalom at Kranjska Gora on Saturday and moving within striking distance of the World Cup slalom title. McGrath, who captivated audiences with a memorable moment at the Milano Cortina Winter Games, finished just ahead of Henrik Kristoffersen by a mere hundredth of a second, with Lucas Pinheiro Braathen rounding out the podium in third, four-hundredths of a second back.
The race, held under challenging warm conditions that tested the integrity of the course, saw Austrian Raschner climb from 30th to 7th, while Belgian Marchant, who held third place after the first run, failed to finish. The margins were incredibly tight, with Michael Matt finishing fourth, Strasser fifth, and Noel sixth, all within tenths of a second.
The Italian team struggled on Saturday, with Alex Vinatzer dropping from 12th to 28th after a mistake, followed by Saccardi in 26th and Tommaso Sala in 27th. The World Cup circuit now moves to Courchevel, France, next weekend, where two super-G races – including a rescheduled event from Garmisch – and a downhill race are scheduled. The season will conclude with the finals in Norway.
The First Run
The second run promised excitement, with ten athletes separated by just 93 hundredths of a second. Gstrein, Rassat, Noel, Nef, Matt, and Strasser all remained within striking distance of the lead. Tommaso Sala, whereas, faced difficulties in the middle of the course, finishing 2.15 seconds off the pace.
The Race for the Cup
Heading into Saturday’s race, eight athletes were still in contention for the slalom World Cup title. However, the first run saw the elimination of three contenders: Olympic champion Loic Meillard, Norway’s Tim Haugan, and Finland’s Eduard Hallberg. McGrath now leads the standings with a 41-point advantage over Pinheiro Braathen and a 77-point lead over Noel. Kristoffersen trails by 99 points. The final outcome will be decided at the World Cup finals in Kvitfjell/Hafjell, Norway.
Pinheiro Braathen’s performance continues a remarkable run for the Brazilian skier, who switched national allegiance from Norway in 2024. He narrowly missed out on a historic victory, but remains a strong contender for the overall title. Kristoffersen’s second-place finish adds another podium to his impressive career, though he remains behind in the overall standings.
The warm conditions presented a unique challenge for the racers, softening the snow and demanding precise technique. Raschner’s impressive climb through the field demonstrated the importance of adapting to changing course conditions. Marchant’s unfortunate exit highlights the fine margins that separate success and failure in alpine skiing.
The Italian team will be looking to rebound in Courchevel, hoping to improve on their performance at Kranjska Gora. Vinatzer’s mistake proved costly, but the team will aim to capitalize on the upcoming races to secure valuable World Cup points.
The upcoming races in Courchevel and the finals in Norway promise a thrilling conclusion to the World Cup slalom season. With McGrath holding a narrow lead, the battle for the title is sure to move down to the wire.
Next Up: The World Cup circuit heads to Courchevel, France, next weekend for two super-G races and a downhill event. The season will culminate with the finals in Kvitfjell/Hafjell, Norway, where the slalom World Cup champion will be crowned.
What are your thoughts on McGrath’s performance? Will Pinheiro Braathen be able to close the gap in the final races? Share your predictions in the comments below!
