Haugan 'smokes' opponents in Alta Badia Slalom as Meillard defies pain to finish second

Timon Haugan (NOR/Van Deer) put down a masterful performance to “smoke” his opposition in the men's Slalom at Alta Badia on Monday, in the final race of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup calendar before the Christmas break.

Haugan finished fifth in the Giant Slalom on the same slope on Sunday, and picked up where he had left off by registering the quickest time in the first run (52.25) on Monday, before ending the day's racing with a total time of 1:45.40 to beat second-place Loic Meillard (SUI/Rossignol) by well over a second.

It is a second ever World Cup victory for Haugan, who was joined on the podium by team-mate Atle Lie McGrath (NOR/Head) in third.

"I'm super stoked to have my team-mate on the podium," said Van Deer skier Haugan.

"Me and Atle had a talk yesterday, a little bit about the mental stuff with ski racing and it's really cool to see how we both have learned so much the last years and really stepped it up."

Haugan said he was looking forward to taking some time off before getting "back to work" in the new year.

"I tried to keep it simple, keep it clean, and really attack. That was the main goal today; only focus on the skiing, try not to think about the results and have fun," the 27-year-old said.

"It couldn't be better. Winning - that's what we all want. I'm so happy to get a break now and even better with a win."

Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR/Van Deer) finished fourth to ensure he remains on top of the men's Slalom standings, with Rossinol's Meillard in second, Clement Noel (FRA/Dynastar) in third, and McGrath sitting fourth as things stand.

Haugan moved into fifth following Monday's result, 43 points behind compatriot McGrath who was full of praise for his team-mate.

"What Timon did in that second run was just incredible. He smoked us all which was so much fun," said McGrath.

"Always when a Norwegian wins it's great - two Norwegians on the podium is also really good. We are keeping the Slalom streak alive of being on the podium every race."

McGrath was the penultimate athlete out on the course after an impressive first run, but despite starting cleanly in his second outing, lost time as he went along before a minor error at the end cost him a better spot on the podium.

"I'm a little bit disappointed in my second run," said Head skier McGrath, who has now achieved three consecutive top-three Slalom finishes for the first time in his career.

"There's something about knowing you have a big lead and then coming in behind.

"I felt like I lost a little grip and I lost my momentum. It's a hill where you really need to carry your momentum.

"That's why I was disappointed, because I felt how slow it went into the finish."

Meillard finished last season's overall in second place behind countryman Marco Odermatt (SUI/Stöckli), but a back injury has somewhat affected the Rossignol athlete’s season to date.

However, the 28-year-old defied the pain for a largely error-free second run, which had him top until Haughan usurped him with a blistering finish.

"This morning I was thinking a top ten would be amazing, because in warm-up it was impossible. Everything was painful,” Meillard said.

"First run I didn't have the confidence that I needed and I just said to myself 'One more run and then it's Christmas, so let's push for it'."