Henrik Kristoffersen delivered an electrifying performance on December 15, 2024, winning the men’s World Cup slalom at Val d’Isère for his first victory in nearly two years. The Norwegian skier, who showcased extraordinary skills on the challenging Face de Bellevarde course, finished with two flawless runs, clocking times to leave his competitors far behind.
With the absence of injured Olympic champion Clément Noël playing to his advantage, Kristoffersen asserted himself early, finishing 0.52 seconds faster than his compatriot Atle Lie McGrath, who came in second place. Swiss skier Loïc Meillard rounded out the podium, finishing 0.89 seconds behind Kristoffersen. This win not only marks Kristoffersen’s return to the top but is also his third victory at this iconic ski resort, where he secured previous triumphs back in 2015 and 2016.
After his win, Kristoffersen reflected on his performance, saying, "Experience is nice to have sometimes. It’s very difficult today," highlighting the challenges he faced on the notoriously tricky slope.
The race began with Steven Amiez leading after the first run, building anticipation among the local crowd who hoped to see him achieve his first World Cup victory. Unfortunately for Amiez, disaster struck at the beginning of his second run when he recorded a DNF (did not finish) after losing control early on the course. Until then, Amiez had been riding high, previously securing his best result of fourth position just the month before. He had never finished on the podium before, adding to the disappointment of his home crowd.
Kristoffersen capitalized on Amiez's misfortune and reflected on the day, stating what many skiers know: conditions can be everything. “It was eight years since I won here for the first time. And it’s really good now because now they can’t say ‘it’s been a long time, huh?’” He acknowledged the high expectations placed on him, especially after being close to 90 times on the podium. Kristoffersen's combination of talent and experience shone through as he navigated the treacherous course.
McGrath’s strong performance placed him solidly among the leaders, and he expressed satisfaction with his skiing, stating, “I was super pissed after the second run yesterday…but I knew I had to go for it.” He reflected on his competitive strategy, emphasizing the need to balance risk with skill. His established friendship with Kristoffersen propelled both men to push their limits.
Meillard, known for his resilience, also impressed many, finishing third after moving up from fifth place post-first run. Although Meillard kept his expectations manageable, he understood the pressures of skiing at this level, stating, “It was not the easiest weekend to ski but I tried my best, and to finish on the podium is pretty cool.” This victory path was particularly remarkable as Meillard hadn’t been able to complete slalom training recently due to persistent back problems just weeks before the race.
Meanwhile, reigning World Cup champion Manuel Feller finished fourth alongside Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. Feller broke his string of DNFs after failing to finish his last four races, taking solace from his strong performance. “I’m proud of being able to scrap something together,” Braathen remarked after improving his standing significantly from the first run. His race saw him leap from 22 positions to finish joint-fourth, showcasing remarkable tenacity.
Kristoffersen noted the evolution of his equipment and staff, crediting them for helping him achieve optimal performance. “The setup is working really well with the skis and boots,” he shared, highlighting the importance of good equipment. His ability to navigate the rutted, heavy conditions on the Face de Bellevarde prompted him to rely on his extensive experience garnered from years of competition.
Looking forward, Kristoffersen's focus is sharp, ready for the next challenges within the slalom circuit. Along with Kristoffersen leading both the giant slalom and overall standings—earning him the possibility of competing for multiple titles as the season progresses. His victory at Val d’Isère reignited interest in his potential comeback this season.
Overall, Kristoffersen’s triumphant return was not merely about skill but also about persistence, seizing opportunities, and gracefully handling the pressures of competitive skiing.
