Manfred Moelgg is the new Snow King!

The World Cup has a new Snow King! After 8 years of victory drought, Manfred Moelgg claimed the win at the slalom in Zagreb, ahead of Felix Neureuther and Henrik Kristoffersen. A firework for both the new crowned king and the 50 years of the FIS Ski World Cup concluded the “Snow Queen Trophy” in the Croatian venue.

It was well known that Manfred Mölgg is in a great shape again, as he podiumed in the Levi Slalom and ended 4th in Madonna di Campiglio. But today, he took it to another level by grabbing his third World Cup win. The last time Mölgg won was back in 2009, when he came first in a slalom race in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. A year later, he finished second atop Sljeme, and this year, he announced his good form in the first three slaloms of the season. “I feel great, just like a king. It’s wonderful to win here in Zagreb,” Mölgg said. He is the second Italian, alongside Giuliano Razzoli, to take the Sljeme crown.

Germany’s Felix Neureuther came second, the same as two years ago. It’s a 42nd podium for the skier from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, who had two DNFs in slalom earlier this season (in Val d’Isère and Madonna di Campiglio).

Henrik Kristoffersen finished third on the podium. The Norwegian, who had won the last two World Cup slaloms, failed to continue the winning streak but still finished in his highest ever position atop Sljeme.

Of the three skiers who had taken the top three positions following the first run, only Julien Lizeroux managed to finish the race. He came ninth, while both Mark Engel and the leading skier after the first run, Manuel Feller, failed to finish the second run.

No later than tomorrow, the men’s Tour is moving to Adelboden, where a Giant Slalom and a Slalom will take place this week-end.