Popov gives Bulgaria’s ski team its first win in 45 years with victory in night slalom

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy (AP) — Albert Popov gave Bulgaria’s ski team its first World Cup victory in 45 years by triumphing in a slalom on Wednesday as four of the favorites skied out of the night race in Madonna Di Campiglio.

The victory came on the anniversary of Peter Popangelov’s lone win for Bulgaria, in Lenggries, Germany, on Jan. 8, 1980.

“A long time ago,” Popov said. “It means a lot and I want to see more children on the skis in Bulgaria, and I think this is going to do a big thing for them and they’re going to start to believe that it’s possible, and I think it’s very important for our country.”

Eighth-fastest after the opening run, Popov put down a brilliant second run on the Canalone Miramonti course and the 27-year-old tipped his head back and let out a scream of joy after crossing the finish line.

He then faced an anxious wait to see if it would be good enough for what would be a second-ever podium place. And it turned into the most unlikely of victories.

Reigning slalom World Cup champion Manuel Feller looked set to challenge him but he lost his balance and hit a gate, failing to finish for the third time in five starts in slalom this season.

Atle Lie McGrath had dominated the first run, leading by more than half a second, and was hoping for a first victory in almost three years.

The Norwegian had an advantage of 1.21 over Popov after the first split but he threw away his colossal lead as he straddled a gate.

“It’s a dream come true and it’s a long time coming,” Popov said. “I’ve been waiting a lot and I’m happy that it’s in Madonna Di Campiglio. I love the race, I love the slope, I love the people.”

Popov finished 0.44 ahead of Loic Meillard of Switzerland and 0.46 ahead of Croatia’s Samuel Kolega, who recorded his first-ever World Cup podium.

“I’m really lost for words a little bit right now,” Kolega said. “There’s been a lot of work to get here. There’s a lot of people to thank for this. It’s not just me, it’s the whole team, a lot of people who stood behind me all the time.

“It’s not just the podium for me today. I never actually scored World Cup points on this hill before and today it was really such a breakthrough for me.”

Olympic champion Clement Noel, who won the opening two slalom races of the season, and Norwegian skier Timon Haugan, who dominated the last slalom in Alta Badia, both skied out on the first run.

Meillard moved top of the discipline standings, 10 points ahead of world champion Henrik Kristoffersen and 85 points above Noel.

“Definitely not the easiest race, it’s always a challenge here in Madonna,” Meillard said. “Some mistakes happened, but at the end, another podium.

“At the moment, it’s working well. When you have a few good results, you have also confidence and you can push a bit more.”

Three-time defending overall champion Marco Odermatt, who does not compete in slaloms, remained top of the overall standings but saw his lead trimmed to 116 points above Kristoffersen.

There is another slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland in just three days, with a giant slalom the following day, and three more slalom races among a packed January calendar.

“We wanted to be in the top form in January. So with the first race, first win — this is amazing,” Popov said. “Thanks to my team, to my family. Gaia, my daughter. Thank you. This was for you guys.”

___

More AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing