ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP 2024-2025 – Incredible outcome in the Italian slalom. Dominant in the first round, Atle Lie McGrath rode in the second and it was the Bulgarian Albert Popov who created the surprise, securing his first World Cup victory. Steven Amiez, first Frenchman, finishes 4th.
A fatal track on the Madonna di Campiglio slalom
The first round has already skimmed off a good number of skiers, with 22 starters failing to complete this Italian route, Alex Vinatzer being disqualified for having climbed through a door. Among the others to immediately jeopardize their chances, the winner of the first two slaloms of the season, Clement Noeland his compatriot Hugo Desgrippes. On the other hand, the four remaining French people moved on to the second round. Winner at Alta Badia, the Norwegian Timon Haugan was also surprised by the movements of the ground on this track initially dominated by his counterpart Atle Lie McGrath.
Narrowly passed with the 30th time of the first round, Victor Mufffat-Jeandet therefore opened the gate of the second. The Frenchman kept the lead for three rounds before Gustave Wissting don’t dislodge it. The Swede did not stay in post for long either as is customary with the gaps created previously. Then it’s another tricolor representative, Paco Rassatwho stood out, crossing the line a good second ahead of Sam Maesthen leader. The Savoyard made a good comeback with 13 places gained, the best being signed by the American Benjamin Ritchie (+14). At mid-event, the latter was only ahead of Daniel Yule.
A first for Albert Popov
In a second round which again caused a lot of damage (9 abandonments), Henrik Kristoffersen set a new reference time, swept by 7 tenths in the process by Albert Popov. The Bulgarian offered himself a good option for the podium and put pressure on the 7 competitors to start behind him. The first of them, Michael Mattthen made a mistake. The second, Steven Amieztemporarily placed second, less efficient in the wall than Popov, who had set the bar very high.
Manuel Feller greatly endangered the Bulgarian but caught up in his commitment, the Austrian fell a few doors from the finish. Albert Popov then validated his podium while Samuel Collector relegated Steven Amiez on the third step before the last two departures, those of Loïc Meillard et Atle Lie McGrath. Starting off strong, the Swiss gradually lost his rhythm and finally finished second. Because behind him, the first intermediate point was crossed and the Norwegian said goodbye to a victory that seemed to be reaching out to him. Albert Popov thus offers himself his first World Cup victory on this slalom by Madonna di Campiglio in front of Meillard and Kolega. Steven Amiez, first Frenchman, finished fourth.
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