Today at Saalbach 2025: Norway’s Attacking Viking and French men’s tech team reveal all

After the excitement of the women’s Team Combined, the men get a chance to try out the brand new event on Wednesday at the 2025 Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach.

Norway’s two teams are super-excited, as is France’s reigning Olympic Slalom champion Clement Noël (Dynastar).

Here is what they had to say on the eve of the action, with rising star Steven Amiez (FRA/Rossignol) also sharing his thoughts:

Norwegian men’s Team Combined

Atle Lie McGrath (NOR/Head)

On teaming up with elementary school friend Fredrik Moeller:

“It's crazy because becoming an alpine skier at the top level, it's very, what should I say? It's a very fine margin to become an Alpine skier at this level, and for both of us who went to the same class in elementary school, to be here in the World Championships and also be on the same team, I don't know what the odds for that are, but that's crazy.

‘After Fredrik won in Bormio (the Super G for his first World Cup win) I really, really wanted Fredrick on my team. Even before, I mean, because he's been so amazing this season. It's just so cool to see his development this year, and  he's like the perfect proof that consistency and hard work over many years will always give success.

“That’s exactly what Frederick stands for. That is the culture of the Attacking Vikings. So proud to be his teammate tomorrow.”

On whether this is an advantage:

“Yeah, I think so. I think we have maybe a little bit of extra motivation to ski well for each other. Fredrik will try and put me in a good position, and then I'll just try and kill the second run, you know, just get after it.

Fredrik Moeller (NOR/Atomic)

On skiing with McGrath:

“It’s really cool. We went to school together, my first two years in school. And also kindergarten. So, we’ve been friends for a long time. It’s really cool. Hopefully we can do well.”

On his plan:

“My plan is to continue my great skiing that I’ve been doing, and hopefully improve a bit also, to give Atle the best advantage as possible.”

Timon Haugan (NOR/Van Deer)

On skiing with Adrian Smiseth Sejersted:

“I'm very excited for tomorrow. Adrian is very good friend of mine, and for us to compete together for a medal at the World Champs, that's really cool. You're not skiing only for yourself, it's another teammate, and that's going to be probably some extra pressure and extra nerves at the start.

“But I think my job is anyway, the same. It's ski as fast as I can through a long course.”

On Norway’s two strong teams:

“We have two strong teams and, yeah everything can happen if the speed guys just put down solid skiing, like they know they can. And then it's just up to Atle and I to finish the job. We’re going to put the hammer down.”

Adrian Smiseth Sejersted (NOR/Atomic)

On the new Team Combined:

“I’m a big fan of the new event. I hope it’s gonna stay like this.”

On teaming up with Haugan:

“I am super lucky to team with Timon, who won the last Slalom race and won here last year. So, I would see him as maybe the No.1 Slalom skier in the field.

“I am not the favourite of the Downhillers, I would say (Franjo) von Allmen (SUI/Head) or (Vincent) Kriechmayr (AUT/Head) are the two favourites among the Downhillers.

“But I think if I stay within one second I think we have chances to gold because I think Timon can take one second on everyone in the field."

On whether there is more pressure:

“It would be maybe a touch more pressure because if I fail, then both of us fail. So, a touch more pressure, but it’s always pressure in Downhill. So, I am content with that.”

French men’s Slalom skier

Clement Noël (FRA/Dynastar)

On the men’s Team Combined:

“For sure I want an individual medal in Slalom, I have no medals. I was fourth in the last World Champs, so that’s the most important race for me, the Slalom individual. But it’s also a very nice event. I saw today the women’s, and it was really nice. I think it will be a lot fun.

“For sure it will be useful also for Sunday. If you are a Slalom racer and you have just one race during the World Champs, it’s really important to have one more and to ski the slope.

“But it’s really more than a warm-up, it’s a race at the World Champs and there’s a medal at the end and I will give my best for sure.”

On why he is yet to win a world championship medal:

“The reason is simple, I was not good enough the last time, for several reasons.

"I was really young the first time I did the World Champs in 2019. I was still one of the favourites and I didn’t ski really well that day. In Cortina (in 2021) it was a little bit different, I made a huge mistake. In  Courchevel Meribel (2023) I was really close to the medals but I didn’t ski my best, it was quite a challenging slope and quite a challenging course setting.”

Steven Amiez (FRA/Rossignol)

On France not yet having won a medal in Saalbach:

“I am very focused on my races and on what I need to do myself, and I don’t feel any additional pressure just because France hasn’t won a medal yet at the World Championships. I want to go for a medal, but just as I have in every race so far. I am aware of my chances, and I’m really looking forward to competing here."

On the unique nature of a world championships:

“I’m approaching these World Championships like any other race, even though the emotions will be stronger. But I know, or at least I believe, that I can manage them."