Henrik Kristoffersen Wins Night Slalom in Schladming

Henrik Kristoffersen won the Night Slalom in Schladming, the last Slalom before the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, in a thrilling finale in front of 22,500 fans packed into the Planai Stadium and claimed his first triumph of the season. Kristoffersen's 34th World Cup win was also his first since March 2025 in Kranjska Gora. Atle Lie McGrath finished in second place, 0.34 seconds behind his teammate. Clement Noel completed the podium in third place, trailing by 0.54 seconds.

Kristoffersen has secured his fifth win in Schladming (2014, 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2026), making him the skier with the most victories at this Classical venue of the Alpine Ski World Cup.

"It's my fifth win in Schladming; 12 years after I won the first time, now I can say this is my house. I haven't been this emotional in a long time," Kristoffersen said.

Atle Lie McGrath claimed his 6th World Cup podium of the season, the 5th in the Slalom. After nine races, McGrath leads the Alpine Ski World Cup Slalom standings with 452 points. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen is second with 451 points. Clement Noel is third with 435 points.

The 25-year-old Norwegian skier has finished inside the Top-8 of every Slalom World Cup race he managed to finish since Gurgl in November 2024. He has claimed three wins and a total of ten podiums during this streak, but also had seven DNFs along the way.

"My mindset was to survive, to be honest. To make it to the finish and hope it was fast. It’s so hard to focus on anything special, and Henrik skied incredibly. When he gets like this, he’s the best in the world. I really congratulate him," McGrath said.

Olympic champion Clément Noël claimed his fourth slalom podium of the 2025–26 winter season today. The most successful French World Cup slalom skier achieved his 33rd podium finish.

"That was a tough second run. I made a huge mistake after the first 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 OK," Noel said.

Before the Olympic Winter Games, three Alpine Ski World Cup races will take place in Crans-Montana. A Downhill on Friday, followed by a Super-G for Women on Saturday, and a Downhill for Men on Sunday.