The spectacular Bulgarian scored his first career victory in CdM after recovering seven positions; on the podium the Swiss Meillard and the Croatian Kolega
First the tribute to Giuliano Razzoli, trailblazer on the 3Tre, then the slalom race on a polished Canalone Miramonti, in every sense: in Madonna di Campiglio the appointment with the World Cup was the usual show, won by Bulgarian Albert Popov, his first success in CdM.
phenomenal popov
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The Bulgarian literally danced in the second heat, polished by the organizers thanks to a low temperature (around -3°C) which preserved the very hard and smooth surface on which many big names had made mistakes in the first heat. Popov skied in his usual way, without calculations, descending at full speed and bouncing between the narrow poles thanks to a low center of gravity and extraordinary leg strength: he skis a bit “Hirscher-like”, and very often this attitude cost him the fatal mistake, this time in Campiglio, gave him his first victory in the Circo Bianco.
popov words
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The Bulgarian, who so far in CdM had obtained a podium in slalom in 2023 in Tahoe (USA), expressed himself at a high level in both races: “I don’t know what to say, it’s incredible. I saw the time of the second heat and I thought it was excellent for the podium, I didn’t think I could win. Triumphing here in Campiglio is a special thing, I’ve always felt strong on the 3Tre also because I love Italy and I love the Italian atmosphere: I often train on it. these slopes, I know Canalone Miramonti well, but I’m really speechless”, he explained to Rai microphones. On the podium Loic Meillard and Samuel Kolega, half a second behind, while the leader of the first, the Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath, son of the American Felix who was second in the slalom in 1988 in CdM in Are, left the our Alberto Tomba. All the latest winners on the 3Tre were off the podium: Schwarz out in the first heat (like our Alex Vinatzer), Foss-Solevaag missed in the second, Yule 7th after recovering 11 positions in the second heat, and Kristoffersen 5th. Among the placed, worth mentioning is the ninth place of Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, seven positions recovered compared to the first heat, and the 14th of Ryding who was third on the Canalone in 2023.
big shame
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Stefano Gross, the only Italian qualified for the second heat in Campiglio where he was third in 2017, was the protagonist of a sumptuous test for three-quarters of the track, except for a mistake on the last bump: overlapping tips after a small retreat with take-off, sudden braking and a clear second left in the ten doors of the final floor. Bottom line: 21st place for the 38 year old from Pozza di Fassa (Trento). “I had to attack for the comeback, I felt good and I gave everything, unfortunately that mistake came and with my experience I shouldn’t make them. But I feel good and I think we will see the fruits of the work in the next races”, said Gross to Rai microphones.
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