- I feel safer - Dagsavisen

That became clear during a press conference at the Olympiatuben on Wednesday afternoon. The last time Norway fielded eight men at the start of a World Cup slalom was on 15 December 2003 in the Madonna di Campiglio.

McGrath was out injured after falling in a super-G race during the Alpine World Championships in France on February 9.

– Now I have spent a very good period in Sweden and feel much safer. It is very exciting to say that I am back at the World Cup after many months. It feels good, McGrath says.

The 23-year-old was ruined at the World Series and the rest of the season when he sprained his left knee. On August 1, McGrath returned to skis for the first time after a fall in Courchevel, France.

And it won’t be just any race where McGrath will return. In the newly organized race in Gorgul, Norway will have eight competitors in the slalom for the first time in 20 years.

Three starters

Along with McGrath, Henrik Kristoffersen, Alexander Sten Olsen, Timon Hogan, Sebastian Voss-Solvaag, Halvor Hilda Gunnlixrud, Theodor Bracken and Oskar Andreas Sandvik. The last three have never competed in a World Cup race.

-It’s incredibly fun. “As good as these guys are at driving, it can be a lot of fun,” McGrath says of the beginners.

However, the winner of the Slalom Cup will not start. Lucas sent shockwaves through the Alpine world on October 27 when he announced his retirement from the sport at just 23 years old.

At the press conference, he criticized the behavior of the Norwegian Ski Association in the dispute over image rights.

Weekend speed for girls

Braathen and McGrath are best friends and grew up on the slalom hill together. The slalom will be the first of its kind that the Barum boy will take part in without his Norwegian-Brazilian friend.

The slalom race will be held on Saturday, November 18. The speedmen will then travel to Beaver Creek (November 28 to December 3), while the technicians will not return to work until December 9 in Val d’Isère.

This weekend, the speed girls will also take part in two downhill races in Zermatt-Cervinia. There, Ragnhild Moenkel, Kajsa Wieckhoff Lee, and Ine Holm Wimpstad will begin their Norway journey.