World champion Henrik Kristoffersen wins World Cup slalom for 1st victory in nearly 2 years

Henrik Kristoffersen, the reigning world champion, secured a remarkable victory in the men’s World Cup slalom event held in Val d’Isere, France. This triumph marked his first win in nearly two years, showcasing his exceptional skills on the challenging Face de Bellevarde course. Kristoffersen delivered two flawless runs, finishing 0.52 seconds ahead of his Norwegian teammate Atle Lie McGrath and 0.89 seconds faster than Loic Meillard of Switzerland.

This significant win for Kristoffersen comes after his last victory at the world championships in February 2023. The absence of the injured Olympic champion, Clement Noel, and a stumble by first-run leader Steven Amiez, who had a strong chance of clinching his maiden victory, worked in Kristoffersen’s favor. Amiez, a 26-year-old skier, had never previously stood on a World Cup podium, with his best result being fourth place in Austria last month.

Reigning World Cup champion Manuel Feller finished joint-fourth in the competition. Feller, known for his dominance in the previous season, had faced challenges in recent races, failing to complete his last four events in both slalom and giant slalom disciplines. Canadian skiers Simon Fournier and Erik Read did not qualify for the second run, missing out on the opportunity to showcase their skills on the demanding course.

The absence of Clement Noel, who had won the two previous slalom races, due to an ankle injury sustained during the giant slalom event added a twist to the competition. While Noel’s injury was not severe, he decided to withdraw from the Val d’Isere race as a precautionary measure, aiming to return for the upcoming slalom event in Alta Badia. Additionally, Marco Schwarz made a comeback after a nearly year-long injury layoff, finishing 10th in the opening run before encountering a mishap in the second run.

Kristoffersen’s victory in Val d’Isere highlights his exceptional talent and determination to reclaim the top spot in the competitive world of alpine skiing. As he celebrates this well-deserved win, fans eagerly anticipate his future performances on the World Cup circuit.