Clement Noel achieved a thrilling victory at Kitzbuhel on January 26, 2025, climbing to the top of the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup slalom standings.
Starting in fourth place after the first run, the French skier edged out Alex Vinatzer by just nine-hundredths of a second, marking his fourth win of the season. This was a personal best for Vinatzer, who made a remarkable leap from 11th place. Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen took home third place, completing the podium.
Initially, Henrik Kristoffersen, the leader of the series, stumbled early in the first run. Noel seized this chance and built on it. He had to make an impressive recovery during a tricky hairpin turn in the second run, taking the lead from Vinatzer. Braathen’s slower pace in the lower section of the course left him in third as others raced to finish.
Unfortunately for Steven Amiez, who was looking for his first podium finish, a fall dashed his chances while he was in the running. Timon Haugan, who led after the first run, also had an early exit, leaving the way clear for Noel to claim another victory at Kitzbuhel.
Noel expressed his excitement about the win, saying, “It’s really crazy. Kitzbuhel has always been my favorite spot. I hadn’t won here since 2019, and it felt challenging in previous races. My main goal is the World Championships, but winning here means a lot to me.” He added, “I feel at 100 percent. This is my best season with four wins, and I hope to keep it going!”
In an impressive display, Kristoffer Jakobsen surged from 16th to finish fourth in the second run, showcasing his skills under pressure.
The excitement continues as the men move to Schladming for a giant slalom and slalom event on Tuesday and Wednesday.