Norwegian skier McGrath leads World Cup slalom after 1st run. Pinheiro Braathen stands 11th

By Canadian Press on November 22, 2025.

GURGL, Austria (AP) — Norwegian skier Atle Lie McGrath led the second men’s World Cup slalom of the Olympic season after the opening run Saturday, with Finnish prodigy Eduard Hallberg looming in second place.

Hallberg earned Finland’s first World Cup podium result in nearly 18 years last week by finishing third in his home race in Levi.

On Saturday, Hallberg, who started 24th, posted the fastest time in the final section to finish 0.17 seconds behind McGrath.

Hallberg shared his position with Swiss skier Tanguy Nef, who completed the Kirchenkar course in the same time.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who gave Brazil its first-ever Alpine skiing World Cup win last week, excelled in the steep middle part of the course but lost considerable time both in the first and last section and finished 0.73 off the lead in 11th.

McGrath struggled early in his run but then was mistake-free until the finish. Chasing his fourth career win, the world championship silver medalist failed to finish the race last week.

His Norwegian teammate Timon Haugan stood fourth and had 0.39 to make up in the second run later Saturday.

Olympic champion Clement Noel of France was 0.48 behind in seventh.

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AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing

The Associated Press

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