Bulgarian Albert Popov claims shock slalom victory at FIS World Cup in Madonna di Campiglio
The win is the first of his career and the second for his nation in the premier tour. Olympic champion Clément Noël of France did not finish Wednesday’s (8 January) opening run.
Alpine Skiing
Bulgaria’s Albert Popov waited nervously through the final seven racers before erupting in ecstasy on Wednesday (8 January) as he claimed his first and his nation’s second-ever FIS World Cup win in the night slalom at Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
The jubilant skier, already celebrating when it became guaranteed he had landed on his second-ever World Cup podium, came from an eighth-place finish in the day’s opening run for the victory.
His combined time was 1:45.22, powered by the best second run time, a 52.18.
“It’s a dream come true, and it’s a long time coming. I’ve been waiting a lot,” Popov said afterward. “I’m happy that it’s at Madonna di Campiglio. I love the race, I love the slope, I love the people.”
Previously, Popov’s lone podium finish came in Palisades Tahoe in 2023, where he finished third in the Slalom.
Forty-five years ago to the day, compatriot Petar Popangelov claimed Bulgaria’s only other World Cup victory.
Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard, 1:45.66, and Croatia’s Samuel Kolega, 1:45.68, rounded out the podium in second and third place, respectively.
Tough conditions see nine racers DNF in second run
Racers faced deteriorating conditions and incoming fog in the second round on Wednesday, with nine racers crashing out, including Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath, who was the fastest in the first run.
Henrik Kristoffersen, who entered Madonna as the slalom Crystal Globe leader, came through in ninth after the opening run. He did his best to rally in the second, overcoming a shaky middle section that found him back on his heels, to lead momentarily. In the end, he finished fifth.
The first run claimed two stars of the sport, including France’s Clément Noël, the reigning Slalom Olympic champion, and Norway’s Timon Haugan, who came into the race in fifth in the standings. Both men recorded DNFs.
It’s part of an up-and-down season for Noël, with the Frenchman having opened his season with back-to-back wins in Levi and Gurgl before sustaining an injury during the Giant Slalom at Val d’Isère.
Meillard now leads the Slalom Crystal Globe standings with 325 points, while Kristoffersen is right behind with 315 points. Noël is third with 240 points.
The men’s Slalom World Cup heads to Adelboden, Switzerland, next on 11 January.
FIS World Cup in Madonna di Campiglio on 8 January 2025 - Slalom, top-10 results
🥇 Albert Popov (BUL), 1:45.22 – Run 1: 53.04 (8th), Run 2: 52.18 (1st)
🥈 Loic Meillard (SUI), 1:45.66 (+0.44) – Run 1: 52.58 (2nd), Run 2: 53.08 (10th)
🥉 Samuel Kolega (CRO), 1:45.68 (+0.46) – Run 1: 52.61 (3rd), Run 2: 53.07 (9th)
4. Steven Amiez (FRA), 1:45.86 (+0.64) – Run 1: 52.95 (6th), Run 2: 52.91 (6th)
5. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR), 1:45.96 (+0.74) – Run 1: 53.03 (9th), Run 2: 52.93 (6th)
6. Linus Strasser (GER), 1:46.04 (+0.82) – Run 1: 52.72 (5th), Run 2: 53.32 (14th)
7. Daniel Yule (SUI), 1:46.09 (+0.87) – Run 1: 53.60 (18th), Run 2: 52.49 (3rd)
8. Benjamin Ritchie (USA), 1:46.14 (+0.92) – Run 1: 53.75 (22nd), Run 2: 52.39 (2nd)
9. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA), 1:46.25 (+1.03) – Run 1: 53.41 (16th), Run 2: 52.84 (5th)
10. Fabio Gstrein (AUT), 1:46.27 (+1.05) – Run 1: 53.32 (12th), Run 2: 52.95 (8th)