RB teammates Noël Clement and Alex Vinatzer: GEPA pictures
Drama Builds on the Ganslernhang
The second run of the Kitzbühel World Cup slalom delivered the excitement fans expect from this iconic event. With the 12 top skiers from the first run separated by less than a second, the race was wide open and anyone’s to win. The reversed start order for the second run gave the early racers a chance to set the tone and climb the leaderboard, adding to the unpredictability and drama on the legendary Ganslernhang slope.
Final Five Bring Drama to the Ganslernhang
A Tight Race at the Top
The final five racers, separated by just 0.49 seconds after the first run, promised an electrifying conclusion. As Italy’s Alex Vinatzer continued to lead, Sweden’s Kristoffer Jakobsen sat in second, and last year’s Kitzbühel winner, Linus Strasser of Germany, held third.
Nef Struggles to Climb
The first of the top five to ski was Switzerland’s Tanguy Nef, a former Dartmouth College standout. Nef attacked the course with grit and determination but couldn’t find the rhythm to challenge the leaders. As he crossed the line momentarily in fifth, leaving four racers still to challenge for the podium.
Noël Takes the Lead with Precision
Next up was France’s Clément Noël, a three-time slalom winner this season and reigning Olympic champion. Noël attacked the Ganslernhang with surgical tactics, linking crisp, dynamic turns with unmatched fluidity through the toughest sections. His ability to generate speed on the flatter sections paid dividends, as he took a razor-thin 0.09-second lead over Vinatzer, putting him in prime position for another victory.
Braathen Thrills but Falls Short
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil, already a fan favorite, brought his trademark flair and tenacity to his second run. Pinheiro Braathen danced through the steep and technical sections, carrying speed into the transitions and keeping fans on the edge of their seats. However, a small hesitation in the middle sector cost him valuable time, and he fell just short of the top two. He finished temporarily in third place, guaranteeing Noël a podium spot and Vinatzer at least a third-place finish.
“Honestly, I was disappointed at first,” Pinheiro Braathen said. “Don’t get me wrong—I’d be proud of a fifth or sixth place in Kitzbühel. But I have a third and a second on this hill, and my dream is to walk away with a Golden Gams one day. It’s missing on my shelf back home, and I wanted it so badly.”
“To see how close I was—just 19-hundredths of a second—and to know exactly where I lost that time, it’s tough,” he added. “I just wish I could run up and do it once more. But I’ll keep pushing because this hill means so much to me.”
Amiez Falters Under Pressure
France’s Steven Amiez, Noël’s younger teammate, faced mounting pressure as he approached the start. Despite an aggressive opening, he lost time in the middle section and then crossed his tips, falling to his hip and sliding out of contention. His mistake confirmed Vinatzer’s podium position and left just one racer to compete.
Haugan’s Hopes Dashed
All eyes turned to first-run leader Timon Haugan of Norway. Haugan looked strong out of the gate, but a slight miscalculation on a critical turn sent him to his hip midway through the course. Unable to recover, he skied out, dashing his hopes of victory and ensuring a historic podium finish for Brazil’s Pinheiro Braathen alongside Noël and Vinatzer.
Noël Secures Fourth Win of the Season
With Haugan out, Clément Noël secured his fourth slalom victory of the season, thrilling fans with his technical mastery and mental toughness. Noël’s consistency through the steep and flat sections of the Ganslernhang solidified his position as one of the sport’s finest slalom racers.
“It’s a really happy day for me,” Noël said. “Kitzbühel has been my favorite since a long time ago, but the last time I won here was in 2019—six years ago. I’ve struggled a lot on this hill in recent years, so it’s really crazy to win here today. Of course, my biggest goal this season is still the World Championships, but this win is so important to me. I’m really happy to be here and to win on this iconic slope.”
“This is my fourth victory this season, and after the ankle injury, it’s great to feel like I’m back at 100%,” Noël added. “This is, without question, my best season ever with four wins so far, and I just hope to continue like this and enjoy every moment.”
Italy’s Alex Vinatzer, wearing bib 24, delivered one of the most inspiring performances of the day, earning his career-best result with a second-place finish. His blend of aggression and finesse marked his third World Cup podium, showing he is a force to be reckoned with.
“Today was a really special day for me,” Vinatzer said. “Kitzbühel is one of the most legendary races on the World Cup circuit, and to stand on the podium here is a dream come true. The second run was challenging with the conditions, but I trusted my skiing and gave everything I had. To earn my career-best result on this hill makes it even more unforgettable.”
To the delight of the massive crowd, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history for Brazil with his third podium of the season and second in slalom. His exciting style and fearless approach brought energy to the day, cementing his status as a proven star in the sport.
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The spectators roared their approval, celebrating an unforgettable day of drama and triumph on the legendary Ganslernhang slope.
Desgrippes Takes the Lead Early
After the first 10 racers of the second run, France’s Hugo Desgrippes, starting with bib 57, led the standings with a strong combined time. His teammate, Victor Muffat-Jeandet, followed in second, 0.50 seconds behind, with Switzerland’s Marc Rochat holding third. Canadian veteran Erik Read and Stifel U.S. Ski Team member Benjamin Ritchie were tied for fourth, showcasing solid performances that kept them moving up the leaderboard.
Big Names Dominate with 15 to Ski
By the halfway point of the second run, some of the most accomplished names in slalom skiing had taken control of the leaderboard. Sweden’s Kristoffer Jakobsen, with four World Cup podiums to his name, led the standings. Austria’s Johannes Strolz, the reigning Olympic silver medalist and a World Cup slalom winner, held second place, while Bulgaria’s Albert Popov, a slalom winner earlier this season, rounded out the top three. Notably, Jakobsen moved up 12 positions during the afternoon run, delivering a stellar performance to finish just off the podium in fourth.
This trio of podium-proven skiers showcased their experience and skill on the challenging Ganslernhang slope, raising the bar for the remaining 15 competitors and setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
Vinatzer Takes Charge with 10 Remaining
As the second run reached its final stretch with only ten racers left to compete, Italy’s Alex Vinatzer, who was 11th in the first run, held the lead. Sweden’s Kristoffer Jakobsen sat in second, while Austria’s Fabio Gstrein occupied third. The pressure mounted as the remaining skiers prepared to challenge the leaderboard on the unforgiving Ganslernhang slope, where every hundredth of a second could determine the podium.
A Classic Kitzbühel Finale
After an easier first run, the teeth of the Ganslernhang slope returned in the second run, delivering the kind of challenge this iconic venue is known for. The steep breakovers, unforgiving turns, and high stakes tested the world’s best slalom skiers, creating a thrilling and unpredictable finale. In the end, Clément Noël claimed a hard-fought victory, Alex Vinatzer celebrated a career-best second-place finish, and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen continued to make history for Brazil with a spot on the podium. Once again, the Kitzbühel slalom proved why it remains one of the most electrifying events on the FIS Alpine World Cup circuit.
North American Standouts
The first racer to finish the second run was Read, who qualified for his first slalom second run of the season. The Canadian veteran delivered a solid performance, taking advantage of his early start number to produce a clean and controlled run. Read’s effort paid off as he climbed nine positions in the afternoon to finish tied for 21st. With this result, Read has now scored World Cup slalom points in an impressive 11 consecutive seasons, showcasing his consistency and longevity in the sport.
“I feel like the skiing has been close all year, and today there was definitely a little bit of luck on my side compared to some other races,” Read said. “I know it’s been tight, but putting together a solid run today made the difference. In the second run, I showed some good skiing, and I’m hoping to build on that moving forward. It’s always a battle out here, but finally punching in at Kitzbühel feels special after some mentally tough days. I’m happy with this result and ready to keep pushing.”
Ritchie, the only other North American to qualify for the second run, continued his breakout season with another determined performance. Although he skied well, Ritchie couldn’t quite match the pace of the leaders, crossing the line tied with Read. He moved up three positions to finish tied for 21st, marking his fourth consecutive race in the points and sixth of the season.
“I wouldn’t say I’m unhappy with today. The conditions were tough, with rain and soft salt, and I haven’t trained in this much this year, so I wasn’t a hundred percent prepared for it,” Ritchie said. “But I’m happy to walk away with some points—it’s all part of the journey to making World Cup Finals in Sun Valley. Now I need to figure some things out for the next race in Schladming. It’s going to be warm again, but I like the hill there. With a few small adjustments, I think we’ll be ready to go in the soft stuff.”
First Run Results: Top 30 Finishers
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Analysis of the Fastest Three and North American Qualifiers
