Albert Popov claimed his first ever Alpine Skiing World Cup victory after surprising the peloton in Wednesday’s slalom at Madonna di Campiglio.
Bulgaria’s Popov clocked a combined time of one minute and 45.22 seconds over two runs in northern Italy and became a surprise winner, 0.44 seconds ahead of Swiss slalom title contender Loic Meillard, the Croatian Samuel Kolega completing the podium.
Popov, 27, screamed with joy when Atle Lie McGrath, who had led after the first run of the day, failed to complete his second and spurned his attempt to win a first World Cup in almost three years.
The victory was only the second podium finish in Popov’s 10-year career on the World Cup circuit.
“It’s a dream come true and it takes time. I waited a lot and I’m happy it was Madonna di Campiglio. I love racing, I love the track, I love the people,” Popov said.
Second place was enough for Meillard to take the lead in the slalom standings with 325 points, 10 ahead of Henrik Kristoffersen.
-Norway’s Kristoffersen is aiming for a fourth slalom World Cup crown, but finished fifth on Wednesday, 0.74 seconds off the pace after two disappointing runs.
Olympic slalom champion Clément Noël was among a group of contenders baffled by a difficult track and failed to complete his first run.
The 27-year-old lasted just 10 seconds, continuing his recent troubles after a perfect start to the slalom season.
Noël, who is 85 points behind Meillard in the slalom standings, started the season with two wins out of two in the discipline but was then sidelined with an ankle injury in Val d’Isère last month.
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