Atle Lie McGrath Wins the Alpine Ski World Cup Slalom in Alta Badia

Atle Lie McGrath Wins the Alpine Ski World Cup Slalom in Alta Badia. Picture: HEAD SKI

The 4th Alpine Ski World Cup Slalom of the season in Alta Badia produced its fourth different winner: Atle Lie McGrath. This marks his fourth World Cup win and 18th podium finish, with three podiums this season alone.

The Norwegian finished 0.30 seconds ahead of Clement Noel. Loic Meillard took third place, 0.39 seconds behind.

Now, Norway, thanks to McGrath, joined Austria as the only two nations that have won a Slalom race in Alta Badia more than once. Austria's victories came in 2009 with Reinfried Herbst and in 2011 with Marcel Hirscher. Last season, Timon Haugan won the Slalom in Alta Badia.

The Slalom season for McGrath is like a roller coaster, with ups (two podiums, including today's win) and downs (two DNFs).

"This took a lot of effort, and I have such a passion for this sport, it’s hard to let it go. Standing there knowing I had a chance. To fail, as I have done over and over this season, and then finally succeed, is incredible," McGrath said.

"Now I go home to spend time with my family and see my girlfriend. January is the best month and then February with the Olympics, so I am so excited for what is to come," he added.

Clement Noel achieved his 31st World Cup Slalom podium in 87 World Cup Slalom races.

"I knew the first run was really tight, so you can expect to go down in the classification or to stay in your position, but it’s always tough. I am happy with my race, even though you would prefer to win, for sure – when you are in first place after the first run, you want to win, but that’s still a good race. My skiing is good, and I feel that it will be even better in January. I like Val D’Isere because it’s my home race, but then I would say all the January races are my favourites, with Kitzbühel at the top," Noel said.

Loic Meillard claimed his third podium of the season and his 13th career Slalom World Cup podium finish. The Swiss skier confirmed his second place in Val d'Isère with a third place on the Gran Risa in Alta Badia.

"I’m annoyed because I probably threw away the victory with my mistake. But after all, I’m happy that I can still make it onto the podium despite it," Meillard said.

Timon Haugan is leading the World Cup Slalom standings with 245 points. Clement Noel (182) and Paco Rassat (180) are second and third, respectively.

Haugan, 5th in Levi, 4th in Gurgl, 1st in Val d'Isere, and 4th today in Alta Badia has claimed Top-5 finishes in eight consecutive Slalom World Cup races, which is the longest-running streak in the discipline. It started with his win in Schladming on January 29, 2025. He also finished in 5th position in the World Ski Championships in Saalbach.