Frenchman Clement Noel captures 1st alpine ski race in nearly a year, taking slalom in Italy
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Olympic champion Clement Noel secured his first victory of the season as he won a World Cup night slalom on Wednesday, spoiling Eduard Hallberg’s hopes of ending Finland’s drought.
Hallberg had led after the first run and the Finnish prodigy was looking to secure a first World Cup men’s victory for his country in nearly 20 years but ended up splitting two French skiers in Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy.
Noel, who was third after the first run, posted a two-run time of one minute 43.05 seconds, 12 100ths ahead of Hallberg. Noel’s teammate, Paco Rassat, was third (1:43.42).
It was Noel’s first win in nearly a year, since triumphing in a slalom last January, and comes after two second places this season.
“Winning is way different than being second or third,” Noel said. “I knew that in the beginning of the season I was skiing OK, but in training I kept getting better and better the last few weeks. So, I was confident that the skiing was there. And just to show it in races, it’s something different.
“But today, everything went well. I was not fully happy with my first run, but the second run was really nice. This night race here in Madonna Di Campiglio is always really cool.”
Olympic champion Clement Noel of France captures gold at the FIS World Cup slalom event in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
Calgary’s Erik Read was the lone Canadian entered in the competition. He placed 31st of 48 finishers in 52.08 seconds in the opening run, 5-100ths behind the final qualifying time to advance.
In November, Hallberg earned Finland’s first World Cup men’s podium result since 2007 by finishing third in his home race in Levi and the 22-year-old was delighted to move a step up the podium.
“It means a lot, it means really a lot,” he said. “Of course, a bit bitter to lose with 12 hundredths to the win, but still really happy with the day.
“After the first run, all by myself up there, it was a bit of an unusual experience, but I still think it was pretty exciting and fun … I mean couple mistakes, but still like decent skiing, and to reach the podium … it’s amazing.”
The slalom at next month’s Milan-Cortina Olympics is scheduled for Feb. 16 in Bormio.
There are three more slalom races scheduled for this month, in a packed January calendar.
Watch the deciding run of the FIS World Cup slalom event in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
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