Clement Noel Takes Charge: Olympic Champion Dominates Slalom at World Championships After First Run

In Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, Olympic champion Clement Noel delivered a stunning performance in the first run of the men’s slalom at the Alpine Skiing World Championships. He clocked in at 59.23 seconds, outpacing his closest competitor, Swiss skier Loic Meillard, by 0.19 seconds.

Norwegian racers Atle Lie McGrath and Timon Haugan placed third and fourth, needing to make up 0.64 and 0.70 seconds respectively in the final run later in the day. Haugan recently won the last World Cup slalom before the championships, showcasing his skill on this very course.

Germany’s Linus Strasser was another standout, finishing just under a second behind Noel. Meanwhile, defending champion Henrik Kristoffersen, who leads the World Cup season standings, was 1.59 seconds off the pace. Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, aiming for his country’s first-ever medal in skiing, finished 1.51 seconds behind Noel.

Despite his Olympic success, Noel is still in search of a World Championship medal. His best result came two years ago where he just missed the podium by a mere three-hundredths of a second. This season, he has claimed four World Cup slalom victories, bringing his total to 14.

As for France, it has yet to secure a medal at these championships, creating a sense of urgency among their skiers. Meillard is a strong contender for a medal, having already won two earlier in the event, including a team combined gold.

As the championships draw to a close, this men’s slalom could very well be a turning point for several competitors. The excitement continues as the standings remain provisional and other skiers are still taking their turns on the course.

Stay tuned for the final results as the athletes give it their all in this thrilling conclusion to the World Championships.