Schladming – Clément Noël wins the slalom and signs his first success of the winter

It could only be here. In Schladming, the temple of slalom. At the end of a second round of great beauty, Clément Noël won his first victory of the season, the first for more than a year in the World Cup, by dominating the race on the Planai. Much more committed and precise than in the first round, taking more risks, the Olympic champion was ahead of the Swiss Ramon Zenhaeusern (+ 0”07) and the Norwegian Lucas Braathen (+ 0”38). In the lead after the first run, Henrik Kristoffersen cracked (11th).

At last. He is back. By dint of seeing him go out, we had almost forgotten an observation that was nevertheless obvious two years ago: when all is well, Clément Noël is one of the best slalomers in the world. He admitted again on Sunday that he had agreed not to play in front to rebuild himself but to want to find the leading roles again? He kept his word. His first run, calm and assured, had left him in 7th position but his delay (+ 0”77) could allow him to play for the win in the event of a big second run. And that’s exactly what happened.

10th success in the World Cup for Christmas

On a track that held up much better than during the first run, the Vosgien dared to take risks, got involved in his skiing as he hadn’t done for weeks and, for once, it was over. Sometimes at the limit, the French trusted himself to straighten out when necessary and correct the line the few times he was moved. A duel won against the track that none of his opponents managed to get to the bottom. On arrival, it is a relief for Christmas which offers its first success of the winter, on the mythical Planai, a few days from the Worlds. A 10th career victory in the World Cup which will do him a world of good.

In the lead after the first round, Henrik Kristoffersen completely broke down (11th), with two big faults on the top of the course. The one who was aiming for a 5th coronation in Schladming also signs a very bad operation in the race for the small globe with the 3rd place of the red bib of the leader of the specialty, his compatriot Lucas Braathen. The Norwegian was in the race for victory at the last intermediate but he scored too much on the low to resist Christmas. Only Ramon Zenhaeusern managed to make up time for the French on the last section but the Swiss failed a few hundredths (+0”07). A very small thing that makes a huge difference for Clément Noël.