The podium finishers were honored in Obereggen under brilliant sunshine. © Matteo Groppo

A Norwegian celebrates at the European Cup in Obereggen.

Hans Grahl-Madsen pulled off another triumph at the prestigious European Cup slalom at the foot of the Latemar mountain. The Italians disappointed at their home race – yet again.

19 December 2025

From: pm

After two fifth places in Obereggen in 2023 and 2024, Hans Grahl-Madsen secured the European Cup victory on the challenging Maierl slope in Obereggen on Friday, confirming his excellent early form in this Olympic winter.

Grahl-Madsen has now won two of the three European Cup slalom races so far this season and extended his lead in the overall European Cup standings. Since the 22-year-old finished sixth in Sunday's World Cup slalom in Val d'Isère, placing him firmly among the world's elite, it brings to mind Giuliano Razzoli: Razzoli became Olympic slalom champion in 2010 just a few weeks after his victory in Obereggen. Hans Grahl-Madsen is the first Norwegian winner in Obereggen since Alexander Steen Olsen in 2021.

Hans Grahl-Madsen was already in the lead after the first run. © Matteo Groppo

After the first run, Hans Grahl-Madsen was tied for the lead with Finn Jesper Pohjolainen. While Pohjolainen dropped back to fifth place, Grahl-Madsen's 19th fastest time was enough to secure the overall victory. Sandro Simonet almost overtook him, having been third after the first run and finishing second just 27 hundredths of a second behind – Simonet had already finished third in Obereggen in 2022.

Third place today went to 25-year-old Frenchman Hugo Desgrippes, who was among the favorites. The French also placed two more athletes in the top 10: Auguste Aulnette (6th) and Paul Silvestre (8th). The fastest time in the second run was achieved by German Nickco Palamaras, who thus jumped from 23rd to 9th place.

Maurberger is the best Azzurro

The Azzurri suffered a debacle, as so often before in Obereggen. Simon Maurberger was the best Azzurro in 13th place, Matteo Canins – eighth after the first run – finished 17th, and Stefano Pizzato 29th.

Simon Maurberger finished in 13th place. © Matteo Groppo

The challenging Maierl slope once again proved its worth today. In the first run, only 55 of the 104 athletes who started crossed the finish line. Ultimately, 47 made it to the finish. The organizers, led by race director Eduard "Edi" Pichler, had certainly achieved a minor miracle. Despite the unusually high temperatures and humidity of recent days, the Maierl slope held up remarkably well. The best proof of this was the performance of the two Americans, Camden Palmquist and Cooper Puckett, who, starting with the high bib numbers 42 and 59 respectively, finished in 15th and 21st place.