MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy — In a historic achievement, Albert Popov secured Bulgaria’s first World Cup victory in skiing after 45 years by winning a slalom event on Wednesday night in Madonna Di Campiglio. This groundbreaking win coincides with the anniversary of Peter Popangelov’s notable victory in Lenggries, Germany, back on January 8, 1980.
Reflecting on this milestone, the 27-year-old Popov expressed deep emotion, stating, “A long time ago. It means a lot, and I want to see more children skiing in Bulgaria. I believe this victory will inspire them and help them realize that achieving their dreams is possible, which is crucial for us as a nation.”
After finishing the initial run in eighth, Popov delivered an exceptional performance in the second run on the challenging Canalone Miramonti course, culminating in a jubilant scream as he crossed the finish line. Following this thrilling moment, the anticipation built as he awaited to see if his time would secure him a place on the podium.
The competition became even more intriguing when reigning slalom World Cup champion Manuel Feller, a major contender, lost control and collided with a gate, marking his third failure to finish in five slalom races this season. Meanwhile, Atle Lie McGrath, who had led the first run by over half a second, faced his own setback, managing a solid start but ultimately straddling a gate and relinquishing his significant lead.
“It’s a dream come true and it’s been a long time coming,” Popov remarked, visibly elated by his triumph. “I have waited a lot for this victory, and I’m thrilled that it happened in Madonna Di Campiglio. I love this race, the slope, and the community here.”
Popov clinched victory with a time that was 0.44 seconds faster than Switzerland’s Loic Meillard and 0.46 seconds ahead of Croatia’s Samuel Kolega, who celebrated his first-ever podium in the World Cup. “I’m a bit at a loss for words right now,” Kolega shared, acknowledging the extensive effort that brought him to this moment. “Many people have supported me throughout this journey, and this podium is not just my accomplishment but a shared success with my team.”
The race saw several top competitors, including Olympic champion Clement Noel and Norwegian skier Timon Haugan, exit during the first run after earlier successes this season. With these results, Meillard ascended to the top of the discipline standings, surpassing world champion Henrik Kristoffersen and Olympic champion Noel by a significant margin.
“It was definitely a challenging race here in Madonna,” Meillard commented. “While I made a few mistakes, I managed to secure another podium finish, which solidifies my confidence and allows me to push harder.”
Marco Odermatt, the three-time defending overall champion who does not participate in slalom events, continues to lead the overall standings, although his lead has now narrowed to 116 points over Kristoffersen. As January progresses, ski enthusiasts can look forward to another slalom event in Adelboden, Switzerland, followed by several additional races, including giant slaloms, on the packed calendar.
In closing, Popov emphasized the significance of his win, stating, “This was our goal for January — to start off strong. With this victory, I am overjoyed. A sincere thank you to my team and my family, especially to my daughter, Gaia. This win is for you.”
