Kristoffersen Shows Class In Val d'Isere Slalom

Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR/ Van Deer) turned back the years to win his first Audi FIS World Cup Slalom at Val d'Isère since 2016 – putting down two vintage runs to take the lead in both the Slalom and Overall Crystal Globe standings.

The Norwegian was at his aggressive but technical best as he stormed to his third victory on this legendarily difficult piste. His mission was aided by the fact Clement Noël (FRA/ Dynastar) – who had been leading the Slalom rankings – did not start on home snow after crashing during Saturday’s Giant Slalom.

The other hope for the home crowd, Steven Amiez (FRA/ Rossignol), had led after the first run, but lost an edge at the top of the course on his second turn to record a DNF.

It was a better day for Norway: Atle Lie McGrath (NOR/ Head) put in two silky performances to finish second (+0.52). Loic Meillard (SUI/ Rossignol) was third, also looking smooth where others found ruts.

Already leading the GS standings after yesterday’s racing in France, the Kristoffersen renaissance continued apace on swingy course set by the Swiss coach, full of bumps and cut up sections.

The three-time Slalom Crystal Globe winner (2015, 2016 and 2022) found a great rhythm, was smooth on a tricky mid-section that claimed several scalps, and cranked up the speed at the end.

“I’m very happy, it was very difficult today,” said Kristoffersen. “Experience is nice to have sometimes. It’s eight years since I won here, which is really good because now they can’t say ‘it’s been a long time, huh?’ So I’m super happy. I was disappointed with yesterday [when he finished fifth in the GS]. In all sections but one I skied faster than Marco [Odermatt (SUI/ Stöckli)] but I made two mistakes, which cost the victory. My feeling was not good today, with the conditions, like always in Val d'Isère. I tried to be a little smart. Eight years later, we are here.”

Kristoffersen had kind words for two French racers. “I’m sorry for Steven [Amiez], he is really good,” he said. "He will get there. To the French public, don’t worry. And sorry about Noel, it should have been a good fight today.”

The Norwegian admitted a lot has changed since his last win on this hill. “I had less worries then, I was less nervous. Now people expect me to do good all the time because I’ve been almost 90 times on the podium. I’m a little older, a little more calm, and I am a father now so I have to behave a little bit – but not so much.”

He also had praise for his Van Deer equipment. “The set-up is working really well with the skis and boots and bindings. We struggled with the set up last year. I also have a different service man now which is working better.”

Looking solid across two disciplines, and with Odermatt not at his majestic best yet this winter, a genuine battle for the Overall Crystal Globe could be in the offing.

Kristoffersen’s teammate McGrath also looks on the verge of a breakthrough season. He showed dynamic, snappy turns and a robust mental attitude to come away from a tricky weekend with points that will put him in the Slalom Globe hunt.

“I was super pissed after the second run yesterday, and on the first run today I felt like I took it too easy,” he said. "So I knew I needed to turn it up, and the way I skied that second run I was super happy. I was risking but I was smart. It is very difficult. I knew I had to go for it. I really tried to ski fast and it is fun when it works out.”

Meillard had similar sentiments. “It was not the easiest weekend to ski but I tried my best, and to finish on the podium is pretty cool,” said the Rossignol racer. “Try to find the holes without seeing them, that’s what’s difficult [at Val d'Isère]. It’s bumpy and you don’t know what to expect. You try to focus on what’s happening on your skis. It was a difficult weekend in general, a fight most days.”

Reigning Crystal Globe Slalom champion Manuel Feller (AUT/ Atomic) had been in the midst of a mini crisis, with four DNFs from four races prior to Sunday.

In this Slalom, however, he got to the bottom – and without skiing within himself. The Austrian was as wild and aggressive as ever, but unlike earlier races made some great recoveries when he looked like losing an edge.

He finished joint fourth (+0.95) with Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA/ Atomic), who put in a remarkable second run to jump 22 positions up the field, after a poor first attempt.

“It’s been a brutal weekend for me, I’ve had a lot of troubles mentally getting up on top of it,” said Braathen. “I’m proud of being able to scrap something together here for the last run and save the Slalom. I’m in desperate need of the points, to get down the starting list. My ambitions are high, I set the bar high.”

The fight for men’s Slalom supremacy continues in Alta Badia on Monday 23 December.