Veysonnaz Finals: Giant Slalom battles and Super G globe triumphs set the stage for season’s end

The final Giant Slalom races of the Para Alpine Skiing World Cup season in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, provided a thrilling spectacle, as athletes battled for the coveted Crystal Globes across multiple categories. With standings tight ahead of the last three races, every point counted in the race for season-long supremacy.

Bertagnolli withstands Austrian chase

Italy’s Giacomo Bertagnolli and his guide Andrea Ravelli once again proved their mettle under pressure, delivering two commanding victories before conceding the final Giant Slalom race to Canada’s Kalle Ericsson and guide Sierra Smith. The Canadian duo’s triumph marked their second win of the season after their success in St. Moritz and propelled them past France’s Hyacinthe Deleplace in the overall standings, finishing with 340 points—just five ahead of Deleplace. Despite Ericsson’s late surge, Bertagnolli’s consistency throughout the season secured him the Giant Slalom Crystal Globe with a total of 600 points, 80 clear of Austria’s Johannes Aigner and guide Nico Haberl, who finished second overall.

Bauchet unshakable in Men’s Standing

On the renowned Piste de l’Ours, Arthur Bauchet (FRA) reaffirmed his dominance in the Men’s Standing category, battling Switzerland’s Robin Cuche on home snow. Bauchet edged out Cuche in the first race by a mere 0.21 seconds, despite the Swiss skier clocking the fastest second run. The second competition saw Cuche crash out in the final run, allowing France to sweep the podium with Bauchet taking another victory ahead of Jules Segers. However, Cuche rebounded on the last day with a commanding performance to clinch the final Giant Slalom race. Canada’s Alexis Guimond’s steady results (three times third in Veysonnaz) ensured he held onto fourth place in the overall standings, though Segers’ strong technical season kept him ahead. With 680 points, Bauchet decisively secured the Crystal Globe, ahead of Cuche (420 points).

Kampschreur’s consistency delivers another title

Though he did not claim a win in Veysonnaz, the Netherlands’ Jeroen Kampschreur demonstrated remarkable consistency in the Men’s Sitting category, finishing second in all three races. This resilience saw him finish the season 100 points ahead of Norway’s Jesper Pedersen, with Italy’s Renè De Silvestro taking third place overall. Pedersen was the only skier to manage back-to-back run victories, securing a win on the second day, while Canada’s Kurt Oatway—second in the rankings before Veysonnaz—struggled with a sixth-place finish, a DNF, and a seventh place, dropping to fifth overall with 306 points.

Muraoka shakes up Women’s Sitting

Japan’s Momoka Muraoka made a strong late push in the Women’s Sitting category, applying significant pressure on red-bib holder Anna-Lena Forster (GER). Muraoka won two of the three Giant Slalom races in Veysonnaz, but Forster’s victory on the first day, earning her 100 crucial points, secured the Crystal Globe by a narrow margin of 20 points. China’s Sitong Liu displayed remarkable consistency, earning podium finishes across all three races, while Finland’s Nette Kiviranta finished third overall with 345 points for the season.

Aigner and Aarsjoe leave no doubt

With her primary rival Elina Stary sidelined due to a concussion, Austria’s Veronika Aigner, guided by her sister Elisabeth, capitalized on the opportunity in the Women’s Vision Impaired category. She secured maximum points in Veysonnaz to finish the season with 700 points, well ahead of Stary, who retained second place despite missing the finals. Slovakia’s Alexandra Rexova, guided by Sophia Polak, rounded out the top three.

Meanwhile, Sweden’s Ebba Aarsjoe left no room for debate in the Women’s Standing category, adding 300 points in Veysonnaz to finish the season with 600 points and claim the Crystal Globe. France’s Aurélie Richard impressed with a series of strong results (3rd, 2nd, and 4th) to take second overall, while Germany’s Anna-Maria Rieder concluded the season in third place with 405 points.

Super-G crowns and Downhill disruptions

The 2024/25 season saw disruptions in the speed disciplines, with multiple downhill races, including the Sella Nevea finals, canceled. With only two downhills held, the minimum race requirement for awarding a Crystal Globe was not met. However, in Super G, five races were contested, and Johannes Aigner (Men’s Vision Impaired) and Ebba Aarsjoe (Women’s Standing) emerged as dominant forces, each winning all five of their races.

“The speed season was good. I’m a little bit sad that we had only two downhills, but we’re very happy that we have the Super G globe. For the next days, the two slaloms, we hope to win the globe as well,” said Johannes Aigner after the final Giant Slalom in Veysonnaz.

“It was a season with a lot of ups and downs, but we’re very happy and hopefully we can do this next year as well,” added his guide, Nico Haberl.

Spain’s Audrey Pascual Seco made waves in the Women’s Sitting category, capturing her first Super G Crystal Globe in her debut speed season. With 440 points, she edged out Forster by 50 points, while Muraoka completed the top three.

Other Super G title winners included Veronika Aigner, Arthur Bauchet, and Jeroen Kampschreur. The season is not over yet, with two slalom races still to be contested in Veysonnaz on Monday and Tuesday. Following these events, the Slalom Globes, along with the overall globes, will be awarded.