site.btaAlpine Skier Albert Popov Scores Career-First World Cup Slalom Win

The best Bulgarian alpine skier Albert Popov won the first victory of his career in the World Cup night slalom in the Italian winter centre of Madonna di Campiglio on Wednesday. The Bulgarian has had one career podium before this achievement - in March 2023, a third-place finish at the American resort of Palisades Tahoe.

The Bulgarian made a strong first run, in which he finished eighth, but an outstanding second run, in which he set the best times in the second and third sectors of the track. He finished with a total time of 1:45.22.

"Kaya, for you," Popov shouted after the finish as a greeting to his daughter. "I have been waiting for this win for a long time. I love the track here, thanks for supporting me. I wanted to be in top shape in January," Popov said.

His win comes exactly 45 years after Petar Popangerov's first World Cup slalom victory in Lenggries, which was also Bulgaria's first.

Popov finished ahead of Swiss Loic Meillard, who completed the slalom 0.44 seconds behind him. Meillard was also second after the first run. In third place finished the Croatian Samuel Kolega, who finished 0.46 behind the Bulgarian. For him, it was his second slalom podium of the season.

Atle Lie Mcgrath of Norway, the convincing leader of the first run, who had more than a second lead over Albert Popov, missed a gate and dropped out of the race.

With this incredible success Albert Popov has now moved up to seventh place in the overall slalom standings with 153 points. He was followed to the top by today's runner-up Meillard, who has 325 points. He overtook Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen, who has 315 points, and third is Noel Clement of France with 240 points. The latter dropped out today in the first heat.