First slalom and first victory for Clément Noël this season in the World Cup. The 27-year-old from Vosges literally destroyed the competition this Sunday in Levi, Finland. Best time in the first round, the Frenchman ruined the hopes of world champion Henrik Kristoffersen in the second round, finishing 80 hundredths ahead.
After a mixed 2023-24 season, during which he failed to win even though he was often in the mix (four podiums), the reigning Olympic champion is launching this new exercise perfectly. His last victory dates back to January 2023 in Schladming (Austria). This is his eleventh success in the World Cup, while at the same time, the winner of the specialty globe Manuel Feller gave up.
🇫🇷😍 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄 Clément Noël! The Frenchman wins the Levi slalom hands down, 8 tenths ahead of Henrik Kristoffersen, Steven Amiez is 6th #ChaletClub pic.twitter.com/83P1eqYPd3
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) November 17, 2024
The French slalom is doing well, and it’s also thanks to Steven Amiez. At 26 years old, the latter, 6th, confirms his rise to power. He may certainly have some regrets. He finished 3rd in the first round before crashing a bit on the wall this afternoon but the sensations seem very good.
Note that the morning did not go as well for former skiing glory Marcel Hirscher. Back on the circuit at 35 and after five years of retirement, he finished 23rd in the giant slalom three weeks ago. The Austrian skier, who now races in the Dutch jersey, this time attended the second round from the stands. Far very, very far from the best with 2”59 behind Clément Noël at the end of the first round.
Levi’s slalom ranking
1. Clément Noël (FRA) 1′53″98 (59″67 + +0″21)
2. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) +0″80 (1′00″68 + 54″10)
3. Loïc Meillard (SUI) +0″95 (59″69 + +1″14)
4. Lucas Braathen (BRE) +1′05 (1′00″53 + +0″40)
5. Tanguy Nef (SUI) +1′36 (1′00″15 + +1″09)
6. Steven Amiez (FRA) +1″46 (59″88 + +1″46)
7. Linus Strasser (GER) +1″56 (59″97 + +1″47)
8. Aleksander Steen Olsen (NOR) +1″65 (1′00″24 + +1″29)
9. Samuel Kolega (CRO) +1′′77 (1′00′′32 + +1′′33)
10. Filip Zubcic (CRO) +1.78 (1′00″81 + +0″85)
