Clément Noël domine la discipline depuis le début de l’hiver. MAXPPP – JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT
Quatrième après la première manche, le champion olympique en titre a réalisé une seconde manche solide, s’imposant devant l’Italien Alex Vinatzer pour 9/100e, et le Brésilien Lucas Braathen Pinheiro, à 19/100e.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Clément Noël won the Kitzbühel slalom in Austria on Sunday, his fourth World Cup victory of the season, the 14th of his career, making him the most successful Frenchman in the history of this specialty. Fourth after the first run, the reigning Olympic champion produced a solid second run, winning ahead of the Italian Alex Vinatzer by 9/100ths, and the Brazilian Lucas Braathen Pinheiro, at 19/100ths. Second in the first run, his compatriot Steven Amiez made a mistake in the second, losing all hope of a podium finish.
In tricky conditions, with rain and a salty “Ganslern” for the second round, Clément Noël took advantage of the slump of many leaders to win for the second time in Kitzbühel, six years later. Timon Haugan, in the lead after the first round, and Steven Amiez, still looking for a first World Cup podium, were trapped at the top of the slope.
Already a winner this season in Levi, Gurgl and Adelboden
Accustomed to comebacks, the Swede Kristoffer Jakobsen, 16th after the first round, finished just off the podium (21/100ths behind). Behind, at home, the Austrians had to settle for sixth place with Marco Schwarz.
Clément Noël, already a winner this season in Levi, Gurgl and Adelboden, took advantage of the situation to take the lead in the World Cup standings for the speciality. The Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen, first before the Kitzbühel event, in fact straddled the line during the first round, while the Swiss Loïc Meillard (2nd) made a mistake during the second round.
In addition to Clément Noël and Steven Amiez – who ultimately finished 27th – Victor Muffat-Jeandet took 19th place, just behind Hugo Desgrippes in 18th, who posted the best performance of his career. Paco Rassat, who achieved his first top 10 in slalom in Wengen last week, finished 15th.