Who will be able to stop Clément Noël? Already winner last week of the first slalom of the season in Levi (Finland), the French skier took a huge option on a second consecutive success this Sunday by flying over the first round in Gurgl (Austria). The Vosges took almost a second for most experienced skiers like Henrik Kristoffersen or the Swiss Loïc Meillard.
Starting with the red bib as leader of the Specialty World Cup, in second position, Clément Noël took advantage of a perfect track to take the lead with more than 3 seconds ahead of Linus Strasser, who started just before him. No one behind was able to worry him and we had to wait for a dozen competitors to finally see two go under a second behind.
In the end, Clément Noël will start the second round with an 88 hundredths lead over his first pursuer, the Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath. The other Frenchman entered Steven Amiez, sixth in Levi last week, set a very good time 94 hundredths behind Christmas which places him in third position.
“It was a good round but the feeling was difficult to find, I expected better after the recognition. It was slippery and flabby, I didn't know if I was going fast, in the end I was going fast. We will try to stay on the same settings (in the second round),” declared the Olympic slalom champion on Eurosport.
In the lead after the first intermediate, the Austrian Manuel Feller, victorious last year in Gurgl before winning the specialty globe in March, got on board.
After thirty bibs, all the other skiers entered were more than a second behind. The second round can be followed from 1:30 p.m.
