Timon Haugan of Norway put on a spectacular display to win the men's slalom at Alta Badia on Monday, marking his second World Cup victory. The 27-year-old skier finished with a total time of 1:45.40, crossing the finish line 1.13 seconds ahead of Switzerland's Loic Meillard and 1.26 seconds before his Norwegian teammate Atle Lie McGrath.
This remarkable win for Haugan came after he showed excellent form during the first leg, successfully posting the fastest time (52.25) and surging forward in the second leg to secure the victory. This performance not only added to his confidence following his fifth-place finish the day prior in the giant slalom but also solidified Haugan's position within the elite ranks of World Cup skiing.
"I'm super stoked to have my teammate on the podium," Haugan said, sharing his excitement about finishing strong and seeing McGrath share the podium. He went on to discuss the mental aspects of skiing they had covered prior to the race, emphasizing how both have grown significantly over the years. "What Timon did in the second run was just incredible. He smoked us all which was so much fun," added McGrath, illustrating the level of respect he has for Haugan's performance.
The challenges on the Gran Risa course were considerable, characterized by dark sections, icy patches, and bumpy conditions. Despite these obstacles, Haugan managed to make slight recoveries after experiencing moments of difficulty during his descent. Reflecting on his approach, he stated, "I tried to keep it simple, keep it clean, and really attack. That was the main goal today; only focus on the skiing, try not to think about the results and have fun."
Leading up to this victory, Haugan felt the giant slalom experience benefited him greatly. "It's always nice to ski the GS the day before and get a feeling for the snow. It's good for the nerves to get a good result yesterday and then I can just relax and focus on the skiing," he noted.
McGrath also showcased his strength throughout the season, now achieving three consecutive podium finishes. Following this event, he expressed some disappointment with his performance, acknowledging the slight errors he made during his second run and the impact those had on his result.
While Haugan and McGrath celebrated their achievements, the podium was not without the challenges faced by others. Olympic champion Clement Noel of France struggled, finishing sixth after placing third following the first leg. He appeared to be affected by the right ankle injury he sustained earlier this season, which kept him from competing at Val d'Isere. Despite the difficulty, he maintained a competitive spirit throughout the race.
Overall, this event added excitement to the slalom circuit with Haugan's win contributing to Norway's dominance as they celebrated not just wins but the camaraderie and successes between teammates. After this race, the focus now shifts to upcoming events, with downhill and super-G races scheduled to take place in Bormio.
Haugan's victory reinforces the intensity of competition and the drive of every athlete participating, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting ski season. The Norwegian team now carries significant momentum moving forward as they prepare for the next rounds of competition.
