Albert Popov gave the Bulgarian ski team their first World Cup victory in 45 years with a win in the slalom on Wednesday as four of the favorites crashed out of the night race in Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy.
The victory came on the anniversary of Peter Popangelov's only victory over Bulgaria, in Lenggries, Germany on January 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 are going to start believing that it is possible, and I think it is very important. for our country.”
Eighth fastest after the opening run, Popov laid down a brilliant second run on the Canalone Miramonti course and the 27-year-old threw his head back and let out a scream of delight after crossing the finish line in a two-run time of one minute 45.22 seconds.
It was then an anxious wait to see if he would be good enough for his second ever podium finish.
World Cup slalom 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 slalom starts this season.
WATCH | Popov wins by 0.44 seconds over Loic Meillard:
Bulgaria's Albert Popov became the first Bulgarian to win a FIS World Cup slalom event in 45 years with his victory in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. Popov won the event in a time of 1:45.22 to earn his first victory in the FIS World Cup.
Atle Lie McGrath dominated the first run, leading by more than half a second, and was hoping for his first victory in almost three years.
The Norwegian had a 1.21 advantage over Popov after the first split but threw away his lead while going over a gate.
“It's a dream come true and it's been a long time coming,” said Popov. “I've been waiting a lot and I'm glad it's in Madonna Di Campiglio. I love the race, I love the slope, I love the people.”
Popov finished 44-100ths ahead of Switzerland's Loic Meillard (1:45.66) and 46-100ths ahead of Croatia's Samuel Kolega (1:45.68), who recorded his first ever World Cup podium.
'Lots of work to come here'
“I'm at a bit of a loss for words right now,” said Kolega. “It's been a lot of work getting here. There are 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've never scored World Cup points on this mountain before and today was a real breakthrough for me.”
WATCH | Full replay coverage of Wednesday's 2nd run in Italy:
Watch the final race of the men's slalom competition from the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup stop in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
Olympic champion Clement Noel, who won the opening two slalom races of the season, and Norwegian skier Timon Haugan, who dominated the final slalom in Alta Badia, both went out on the first run
Meillard moved to the top of the championship standings, 10 points ahead of world champion Henrik Kristoffersen and 85 points ahead of Noel.
“Definitely not the easiest race, it's always a challenge here in Madonna,” said Meillard. “Some mistakes happened, but in the end, another podium.
“Right now, it's working well. When you have some good results, you also have confidence and you can push a little more.”
Three-time defending champion Marco Odermatt, who does not compete in slaloms, remained at the top of the overall rankings but saw his lead cut to 116 points over Kristoffersen.
There is another slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland in just three days, with a giant slalom the following day, and three more slalom races amid a packed January calendar.
Erik Read from Calgary and Simon Fournier from Montreal were the only two Canadians in the competition and they did not crack the top 30 to advance to the second run. Read was 35th in 54.56 seconds and Fournier 46th (55.11).
