Clement Noel wins an amazing slalom race in Wengen, the place where he achieved his first World Cup victory last season. Henrik Kristoffersen was second (+ 0.40) and Alexander Khoroshilov third (+ 0.83). Clement Noel won the race in the first run, where he clocked the fastest time, 0.67s faster than anyone else. During the second run, he fought off the attack of Henrik Kristoffersen, who finished once again second (third time in a row in slalom).
"It’s the kind of slope that’s really technical. You have to be really technical and really strong. There are some flat parts and some steep parts and some movement on the slope. It’s a difficult slope and I like it", he laughed. "It’s never easy, I just try to push out and do my best, and on some slopes and in some conditions I can be the fastest man".
Clement Noel made his debut in the World Cup in Levi in 2016. One month later he finished in the Top 20 in Val d'Isere and complete his way up to the Top 10 in Kitzbühel. Finally, in 2019 at the age of 21, he won the first World Cup Race in Wengen. This season is Noel is in the running for the slalom crystal globe.
"Slalom is really different because it’s really fast and you have no room for error because you can DNF really fast. So you have to be really focused, like a robot. Left, right, left, right, left, right", explained Noel. "It’s uh…not like dancing but it’s a feeling, a vibe, and I really enjoy it. If I love skiing, and if I’m a good skier, I have to continue in this way. I’ve continued until now, and that’s it".
Alexander Khoroshilov (RUS) positively impressed the Swiss crowd and crossed the line in third place thanks to an outstanding final section of his second run. The Russian skier returns to the podium almost three years after his 3rd place in Schladming in 2017.
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