Everything is ready in Obereggen for the men’s slalom of the European Cup

The countdown is on: the prestigious European Cup slalom on the challenging Maierl slope this year will take place on Friday, December 19 (first run: 9:30 a.m.; second run: 12:30 p.m.), just five days before Christmas Eve. A good result in Obereggen, a true test of the narrow doors in the cadet circuit, gives a boost of confidence for the rest of the season. The past teaches. Athletes who do well in Obereggen often follow up an entire season at the highest level. In this context, Giuliano Razzoli deserves special mention, as we are on the eve of the Winter Olympics.

In fact, the Italian triumphed in Obereggen in 2009 and then won Olympic slalom gold at the Olympics a few weeks later. In last year’s edition, Frenchman Antonie Azzolin (1:40.09) won in the South Tyrolean resort on the wall of the Maierl slope (maximum gradient 55 percent) ahead of Finland’s Jesper Pohjolainen (1:40.13) and Norway’s Andreas Sandvik (1:40.14). Norway&#8217s Andreas Sandvik, who finished third in Obereggen last year, went on to win both the overall and slalom rankings in last season&#8217s European Cup, securing a permanent spot in the World Cup.

Obereggen has been holding European Cup races since as far back as 1983. There is no other European Cup race with such a long tradition. It is no coincidence that Obereggen has already been nicknamed the “Kitzbühel of the European Cup.” The Obereggen slalom is organized by the committee chaired by Eduard Pichler with the Ega Ski Club, the Obereggen Ski and Snowboard School, Asv Nova Ponente, and the Obereggen Latemar Spa lift company led by CEO Benjamin Kirchmaier. The last Italian to win was Patrick Thaler back in 2011, Fabrizio Tescari also managed to triumph in 1998.

Numerous champions have won this race, above all the Austrian Benjamin Raich, who right here turned out in 1997. Sweden&#8217s Andre Myhrer is the one who has won the most times, four, in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2010: he too has had a very bright career, culminating with the 2018 Olympic gold medal.

Other illustrious winners include Austria&#8217s Manfred Pranger in 2006 and his compatriot Reinfried Herbst in 2008. Another Austrian, Manuel Feller, winner of the specialty World Cup in 2024, triumphed in 2012, and Switzerland’s Loic Meillard, the reigning narrow-door world champion, won in 2016.