Noël Slides to Seventh as McGrath Leads Gurgl World Cup First Run
GURGL, Austria – November 22, 2025 – Norwegian skier Atle Lie McGrath posted the fastest time in the first round of the world Cup slalom in Gurgl, Austria, today, edging out Finn Eduard Hallberg by a mere 17 hundredths of a second. Defending Gurgl champion Clément Noël of France struggled with errors,finishing seventh,half a second (48 hundredths) behind McGrath’s leading pace of 52″12.
the race, held under clear blue skies and a chilly -10°C, saw an exceptionally tight field with 19 skiers finishing within one second of McGrath. Noël, starting with bib number 2, faced difficulties on the course and conceded time, though remains within striking distance heading into the second run scheduled for 1:30 p.m.local time.
Hallberg,aiming to elevate Finland’s presence in the world of skiing,secured second place,tying with Switzerland’s Tanguy Nef. A strong contingent of French skiers also positioned themselves for contention, with Paco rassat, Victor Muffat-Jeandet, and Steven Amiez finishing within three hundredths of each other. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, winner of the Levi slalom, sits in 11th place.
First Round Results (Top 10 & Selected French Skiers):
1- Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) 52″12
2- Eduard Hallberg (FIN) +0″17
- Tanguy Nef (SUI) +0″17
4- Timon Haugan (NOR) +0″39
5- Linus Strasser (GER) +0″41
6- Manuel Feller (GER) +0″43
7- Clément Noël (FRA) +0″48
8- Fabio Gstrein (AUT) +0″64
9- Armand Marchant (BEL) +0″65
10- Alex Vinatzer (ITA) +0″66
…
14- Paco Rassat (FRA) +0″85
15- Victor Muffat-Jeandet (FRA) +0″87
16- Steven Amiez (FRA) +0″88
Not Qualified for 2nd Round: Marc Rochat (SUI), Luca Aerni (SUI), Benjamin Ritchie (USA), Michael Matt (AUT)…
Did Not Finish: Antoine Azzolin (FRA), Samuel Kolega (CRO), Kristoffer Jakobsen (SWE), Istok Rodes (CRO), Ramon Zenhaeusern (SUI)…