LA VILLA, Italy — Timon Haugan from Norway expanded on his lead from the first run to secure a decisive victory in the World Cup slalom event held in Alta Badia on Monday.
Haugan outpaced his competition, finishing 1.13 seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Loic Meillard and 1.26 seconds in front of his fellow Norwegian, Atle Lie McGrath.
This win marks Haugan’s second career victory in the World Cup, previously claiming a slalom title at the finals last season in Saalbach, Austria, which is also set to host this season’s world championships in February.
Haugan entered his second run with a 0.31-second advantage over McGrath, and he pushed through the course with determination. Although he faced minor setbacks, including being pushed wide mid-way through and a slight misstep toward the end of the Gran Risa course, he managed to recover effectively, celebrating his win by skiing a circle in the finish area.
“I aimed to keep my approach straightforward, clean, and to really go after it,” said McGrath. “My main focus today was to concentrate on skiing rather than worrying about the outcome.”
Haugan had just wrapped up a fifth-place finish in the giant slalom event on Gran Risa the previous day, which was his best result so far this season until his impressive display on Monday.
“Competing in the GS the day prior was beneficial to acclimate to the snow conditions,” Haugan noted. “Achieving a positive result yesterday helped ease my nerves, allowing me to relax and concentrate on my skiing.”
Meillard, who began the day in eighth place, climbed dramatically in the ranks to achieve his third podium this season out of four slalom events. Meanwhile, McGrath celebrated his third consecutive podium appearance in slalom after finishing third in Gurgl, Austria, and second in Val d’Isere, France.
Just a week prior, Norway secured the top two spots in Val d’Isere, with Henrik Kristoffersen finishing ahead of McGrath. In this event, Kristoffersen finished in fourth place, trailing by 1.31 seconds but maintained his lead in the overall slalom standings.
Former Olympic champion Clement Noel was third after the first run but faced challenges toward the end of his second run, finishing in sixth place. Noel had previously won the opening two slalom races of the season but sat out the Val d’Isere race due to an ankle injury sustained in a giant slalom event.
The competition took place on a challenging course in the Italian Dolomites, which had dark sections that were icy and bumpy.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, a standout skier of Norwegian origin now representing Brazil, finished 12th, achieving the fastest second run of the day after advancing from 24th place in the first leg.
The men’s skiing circuit will continue with downhill and super-G races scheduled for Bormio next Saturday and Sunday.
