Kristoffersen and Van Deer-Red Bull Part Ways After Four-Season Partnership

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Alpine skiing world, Norwegian superstar Henrik Kristoffersen and Van Deer-Red Bull Sports have officially announced the end of their professional partnership. The split, confirmed by the brand on March 31, 2026, marks the conclusion of a high-profile "marriage" between the sport’s most technical specialist and the boutique brand founded by his former rival, Marcel Hirscher.

Kristoffersen, who joined the fledgling project in 2022, was the first A-list athlete to gamble on Hirscher’s vision. While the partnership yielded immediate success—including a historic Slalom World Championship gold in 2023 and 34 career World Cup wins—the 2025/26 season was marked by vocal frustrations regarding equipment consistency.

“Together we celebrated our first victory, our first World Championship gold, our first slalom crystal globe, and our first Olympic bronze. We are proud of everything we have achieved together and grateful for the journey. Now it’s time for a new chapter,” Kristoffersen and VanDeer-Red Bull Sports said in a joint Instagram post.

“The decision to end the collaboration now was not easy for us. We have jointly come to the conviction that it is the right decision because it will give us all new impetus and perspectives,” Kristoffersen added in a VanDeer press release.."

The split comes despite a resilient performance by Kristoffersen at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where he secured a bronze medal in the slalom. However, the Norwegian was often seen venting in finish areas throughout the season, citing a lack of "stability" in his setup.

In a recent blog post, Kristoffersen hinted at the struggle: "The speed is there, but the stability is not. We have come a long way, but for a racer, confidence in the material is everything."

The Race for a New Brand: Where Could He Go?

While Kristoffersen has not yet officially signed a new contract, the "transfer window" of the spring testing period is in full swing. Several industry giants are rumored to be in the running for the 100-time World Cup podium finisher:

• Rossignol (The "Back to the Roots" Move): Before joining Van Deer, Kristoffersen spent the bulk of his career on the French brand's "Hero" line. A return to Rossignol would offer the 31-year-old a "plug-and-play" scenario with a brand that understands his aggressive technical style.

• Head (The Norwegian Powerhouse): With teammate Atle Lie McGrath and several other top Norwegians finding success on Head, Kristoffersen might look to join the "World Cup Rebels." Head’s dominance in the Giant Slalom—an area where Henrik has struggled recently—could be the deciding factor.

• Atomic (The Red Bull Connection): As a Red Bull-sponsored athlete, Kristoffersen has deep ties to the Austrian conglomerate. Moving to Atomic would keep him within the same family of performance experts while providing the massive R&D resources of the Amer Sports group.

• Fischer: Known for their precision in Slalom, Fischer could be a dark horse candidate if Kristoffersen wants a specialized, boutique feel with the backing of a major factory.

What’s Next?

Kristoffersen is expected to begin testing different setups immediately across the remaining spring snow in the Alps. For Hirscher’s Van Deer-Red Bull team, the departure of their flagship athlete is a significant blow, leaving Timon Haugan as the primary torchbearer for the brand in the technical disciplines.

For Kristoffersen, the goal remains clear: finding the missing gear to reclaim the Slalom Crystal Globe and hunt down his elusive Olympic Gold in 2030.