Daniel Yule skis to first victory in career in Madonna di Campiglio

The Night Slalom in Madonna di Campiglio delivered a surprising podium, with Daniel Yule claiming a first victory in career and the two Austrians Marco Schwarz and Michael Matt rounding out the podium.

After the first run, one could have thought that it will be another fight between Henrik Kristoffersen and Marcel Hirscher for the win on the Canelone Miramonti. Together, they won not less than 38 World Cup slaloms in the past six years. But today’s scenario was a different one. Kristoffersen straddled and Hirscher made a big mistake at the top of the second run, losing all chances to climb on the podium.

Three young guns, who established themselves in the Top slalom group lately would benefit from this storyline. First of all: Daniel Yule. The Swiss was in a solid 4th position after the first run, only +0.66 off the pace. While many others struggled in the second run, he pushed hard and laid down a fluid run from top to bottom. After two podiums last season in Kitzbuehel and in Schladming, the 25 year-old racer earned his first ever World Cup win.

Behind him, Austria’s Marco Schwarz came back after two difficult seasons. His first podium in career was here in Madonna di Campiglio in 2015, and after an excellent first run, where he finished 3rd (+0.32), he was able to hold on to his good ranking and grabbed his third podium in career.

Only 13th of the first run, Michael Matt was in a different situation. Laying down the second fastest time in the second run (behind Dave Ryding), the Austrian showed a strong reaction and earned the last spot on the podium. The winner of the Kranjska Gora slalom in 2017 is celebrating his 7th podium in career.

The men’s World Cup Tour is now having a short but well-deserved Christmas break and will return to competition in Bormio (ITA) for a downhill and a super-g on 28th-29th December 2018.

Results are available here: Madonna di Campiglio SL

Quotes from the Top 3 are available here: Soundcloud