Norwegian skiers dominated the final World Cup slalom race of the season in Hafjell on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, with Timon Haugan taking the victory and Atle Lie McGrath securing the overall slalom title.
Haugan finished the race with a time of 1:43.41, besting Olympic champion Loic Meillard by 0.44 seconds and Eduard Hallberg of Finland by 1.03 seconds. Despite finishing eighth in the race, McGrath clinched his first Crystal Globe in the slalom discipline, capping off a remarkable season.
The title chase came down to the wire, with McGrath’s closest competitor, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil, straddling a gate early in the second run. The two close friends shared an emotional embrace after the race, having already claimed the two technical globes between them – Pinheiro Braathen won the Giant Slalom title on Tuesday.
“It’s the best day of my life,” McGrath said, fighting back tears in a post-race interview. “I’m just so relieved. The past months after the Olympics have been some of the toughest but also some of the most rewarding I’ve had in my life. I really miss my grandfather today. I wish he was here with me but I grasp he’s watching.”
McGrath’s journey to the title was particularly poignant, coming just over a month after the passing of his grandfather and a difficult moment at the Olympics where he lost a potential gold medal and briefly wandered into the woods. The win on home snow marked a triumphant return for the 25-year-old.
“To win the globe, and win my first one, is so tough,” McGrath admitted. He secured three slalom victories and three additional podium finishes throughout the season, ultimately finishing 64 points ahead of Clement Noel and 73 points ahead of Pinheiro Braathen in the standings.
Meanwhile, Pinheiro Braathen’s success wasn’t limited to the slalom, as he also secured the World Cup giant slalom title, bringing the honor to Brazil. This victory came after he bested Austria’s Marco Odermatt in the discipline.
The race in Hafjell concluded the 2025/26 World Cup season, marking a successful end for the Norwegian team and a memorable moment for McGrath as he celebrated his first Crystal Globe.
