This year's Alta Badia Men's Ski World Cup promises thrilling competitions with many top athletes vying for victory. Scheduled for December 22 and 23, the events include both the giant slalom and slalom races held on the famed Gran Risa slope, known for its challenging conditions and demanding turns.
Norwegian skier Henrik Kristoffersen currently leads the slalom overall rankings. His impressive form includes finishes of second place at Levi, sixth at Gurgl, and a spectacular victory at Val d’Isère on December 15. Despite his dominance, Kristoffersen has yet to win at Alta Badia, though he boasts two victories in giant slalom here, with the latest coming back in December 2021.
Challenging his reign is French competitor Clément Noël, who occupies the second spot in the slalom world rankings after clinching victories at the season's first two slalom races earlier this winter. Unfortunately, Noël had to forgo participation at Val d’Isère due to injury, and so far, he has never stood on the podium at Alta Badia.
Austria's Manuel Feller, last season's slalom world cup champion, has had a rough start with two failings at Levi and Gurgl. He barely managed to scrape together another fourth place finish at Val d’Isère, sharing honors with Brazilian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. Feller has previously secured second-place finishes at Alta Badia, but today he faces fierce competition to regain form.
This season brings added excitement with several rising stars on the scene. Among them, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made waves with his fourth-place finish at his slalom debut. He made history earlier by becoming the first Brazilian athlete to podium at the World Cup level during the giant slalom at Beaver Creek on December 8, 2024. Currently, he sits sixth overall in the slalom rankings.
Atle Lie McGrath, another strong contender from Norway, ranks fourth overall and has had good results this season, including second place at Val d’Isère and third at Gurgl. Although his best performance at Alta Badia was second place in giant slalom back in December 2020, he’s anticipated to continue his charge up the rankings.
Swiss skier Loïc Meillard, who finished fourth last season, missed the Sölden event due to injury but is now competitive with his third-place showing at Levi and fifth at Gurgl, putting him third overall. German skier Linus Straßer, who experienced great success with two wins last season, has struggled with results this time around, finishing 36th, not qualifying, and failing to finish recently.
Swedish competitor Kristoffer Jakobsen and French skier Steven Amiez are among those expected to perform well as they also bring strong track records to Alta Badia. Jakobsen is currently fifth overall and recently reached his fourth career podium with second place at Gurgl, which adds to the exhilarating prospects of the upcoming races.
Marco Schwarz impressed everyone when he made his return to competition after injury. After just days of training, he placed sixth during the giant slalom race. Jokingly, Schwarz remarked, “Almost good,” showing his awareness of the process he is still undergoing to regain his peak performance level.
Discussions have arisen around the Gran Risa slope conditions, with Schwarz noting improvements post-inspection. He emphasized, “If you don't ski, it would be catastrophic,” highlighting the dedication and instinctive nature competitors bring to each run.
The anticipation builds as the countdown to race day begins and fans set their eyes on the slopes of Alta Badia. With many eyes watching through live broadcasts on channels like ARD and Eurosport, this World Cup will not only feature established champions but also up-and-coming talents ready to make their mark.
Overall, the slalom and giant slalom events at the Alta Badia World Cup 2024 will serve as the backdrop for thrilling athletic competition, showcasing the intensity and spectacle of the sport.
