This Wednesday evening, Albert Popov (Bulgaria) won the Madonna Di Campiglio slalom in Italy ahead of the Swiss Loïc Meillard and the Croatian Samuel Kolega. For his part, Steven Amiez confirmed his good form by ranking just behind.
Albert Popov (Bulgaria) was until the start of the second heat, rather lurking in the shadows with his eighth place in the first, more than a second behind the leader, the Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath. But during this second descent, contested in the evening, the Bulgarian came out of the woods in time to set the best time and take the overall victory. Here he is now, at 27 years old, finally winner of a stage of the World Cup. He could only congratulate himself after this beautiful evening. “It’s a dream come true, after a long wait, and I’m very happy that it’s happening here in Madonna, in front of a fantastic audience,” the Bulgarian gushed in comments reported by the Team. It must be said that until now, the explosive 1m64 slalom rider had not had great results with an 18th place in Levi and Gurgl, a retirement in Val d’Isère and a 10th place in Alta Badia. We also have to go back to February 25, 2023 to find traces of a podium, it was a third place at Palisades Tahoe in the United States.
Second in the first round, Loïc Meillard took the tied tenth time in the second descent and therefore took second place overall, 0”44 behind the winner of the evening. Like the Swiss, Samuel Kolega did less well during the second outing but it was enough to finish on the third step of the podium. Atle Lie McGrath did not manage to capitalize on his first place during the first round since he made an error and did not finish the course like nine other competitors.
Confirmation for Amiez
Like his opponents at the top of the table, Steven Amiez also did a little worse than during his first outing, with a sixth place (+0”73). Nevertheless, the Frenchman confirms that we can count on him. With a sixth place in Levi and already a fourth place in Gurgl, which makes two with this Wednesday, the Annecian is showing very good things at the moment.
Author of a very good second round (4th), Paco Rassat finished in 12th place overall (+1”45). Note that this is his best career result. Behind, Victor Muffat-Jeandet took 20th place while Antoine Azzolin missed the second heat and is therefore not classified. Just like Clément Noël, out in the first round.
