Kristoffersen holds his nerve to claim emotional fifth Schladming World Cup win

An emotional Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR/Van Deer) claimed World Cup win number 34 - and his first of the season - in the Slalom at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Schladming.

Kristoffersen secured his fifth Schladming success in a Norwegian 1-2, Atle Lie McGrath (NOR/Head) +0.34 behind Kristoffersen’s 1:53.80. France’s Clement Noel (FRA/Dynastar) put in a stunning second run to claim the final podium spot.

Henrik's perfect preparation in Schladming

With the daily countdown to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics now in single figures, Schladming presented an opportunity to set a late statement of intent on the final World Cup slalom before the Games.

After Giant Slalom success the previous night, Loic Meillard (SUI/Rossignol) aimed to make it a double celebration on this stop. But it was the Norwegian pacesetters out in one and two who took charge at the halfway stage, Lie McGrath (NOR/Head) and Kristoffersen (NOR/Van Deer) recording 53.12 and 53.27 respectively to leave them in the driving seat after the first run.

Meillard’s pursuit of the Schladming double was cut short inside the second sector of run two, leaving it as a Norwegian head-to-head. Kristoffersen defied an uncertain start to leave the heat on McGrath, and his countryman didn’t have the answer this time as Kristoffersen claimed the final slalom before the Games and his first World Cup win of the season. Victory in Schladming is Kristoffersen’s fifth, while Clement Noel’s second run of 1:00.34 secured third.

Victory in the slalom represents a full circle moment for Kristoffersen, and comes after a challenging run in the Giant Slalom the night before. "People have probably written me off, but I don't care" said a defiant Kristoffersen.

"It’s not the course that made it challenging, it’s the conditions. But in the end when it’s difficult the proper skiers come out and that is what you see today."

Hot on Kristoffersen’s heels was McGrath, who reclaimed the red bib thanks to his second placed finish here. “My mindset was to survive to be honest” he admitted. “To make it to the finish and hope it was fast. It’s so hard to focus on anything special and Henrik skied incredible. When he gets like this, he’s the best in the world. I really congratulate him – it’s cool with the double victory!”

For Clement Noel in third, it was all about his second run. "That was a tough second run" Noel reflected. "I did a huge mistake after five gates, the feeling was slow but when I crossed the line I was really surprised. I heard during my run that it was quite fast as the speaker said green light, so okay.

"I was pretty disappointed with my first run. When I’m in shape I know I can do big runs in this course setting.  I’m not in my best shape at the moment but I tried and it worked.”

Crystal Globe standing info

The pre-Schladming Crystal Globe leader Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA/Atomic) finished inside the slalom top 10 for the eighth time this season, but a fifth placed finish wasn’t enough to maintain his position.

McGrath reclaimed the red bib by a single point thanks to his second placed finish, sitting on 452 to the Brazilian's 451. Noel's third placed finish keeps him inside the top three, 17 points back on 435.

Check out the full results from the men’s slalom in Schladming here, with the latest season standings in the race for the Crystal Globe here.

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