Clement Noel takes World Cup slalom glory in Schladming, Manu Feller fourth as home hopes dashed

Clement Noel took World Cup slalom glory in Schladming, with Austrian Manu Feller fourth as home hopes were dashed.

The French skier, only seventh after the first run, put down a fine marker with his second effort that couldn’t be beaten by any of the men to follow him down the famous course.

Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen had led after the first run, setting the pace with a descent full of his now customary skill and efficiency.

The Norwegian had previous on this hill, having won four times before – in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2020.

And in front of a bumper crowd of over 40,000 under the night lights, he kept his nearest challengers at bay with Feller – 0.21s back – in second, and Loic Meillard in third.

Britain’s Dave Ryding ended run one in a promising sixth, while fellow Brits Billy Major and Laurie Taylor both succumbed to DNFs.

As the second run got underway with the atmosphere increasingly fervent, the early, surprise leader was Spain’s Joaquim Salarich, before Belgium’s Armand Marchant took the top step by just 0.02 seconds.

“It sounds more like a cycling race than a ski race,” exclaimed Eurosport commentator Nick Fellows, as the two unheralded winter sports nations temporarily had their names up in lights.

At halfway however, and as expected, the more classic skiing countries began to dominate, with Sweden’s Kristoffer Jakobsen holding the lead from Norway’s 21-year-old sensation Alexander Steen Olsen with a total time of 1:50.06.

But with 12 skiers to go there was a new leader, and it was two Norwegians in the top three as Atle Lie McGrath squeezed out Jakobsen by 0.14 seconds with a run containing errors, but aggressive enough to give him the advantage he required.

Home hopes were coming and going for the locals, with Johannes Strolz the latest Austrian failing to trouble the leaders.

Next up was Kitzbuhel slalom winner Daniel Yule, but when just metres from the finish he caught an edge and went down, leaving McGrath still in the lead with just the favourites left to go.

But that all changed when Noel got out of the gate, with the French skier hitting the finish with a big advantage of 0.96s after a fine run.

Could Ryding, following Noel, go one better?

He had a slick top section but a mistake in the middle saw him ship a chunk of time, and finish – for the time being – down in seventh.

Only the final five remained, and the first two of those – Ramon Zenhausern and Lucas Braathen – were unable to dislodge Noel.

Neither was the fancied Loic Meillard able to, as just two men remained – local hero Feller and Kristoffersen.

Feller, roared on, could only manage fourth with a run full of intent, but one that ultimately left him outside the podium places after one too many errors.

Kristoffersen, then, was the final man who could stop Noel from lifting the trophy, but he stumbled – dramatically – on the top section and never really recovered, finishing down in 11th, leaving Noel to soak up the adulation of the crowd.

Noel’s win was his 10th World Cup slalom victory.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clement Noel, FRA: 1:48.97

2. Ramon Zenhaeusern, SUI: 1:49.04

3. Lucas Braathen, NOR: 1:49.35

…

12. Dave Ryding, GBR: 1:50.77

– – –