Third season win for Clément Noel

The French sensation Clément Noel wowed the crowds in Soldeu and claimed his third World Cup win. The globe was already secured by Marcel Hirscher earlier this season.

The final day of competitive ski racing on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup took place today in Soldeu, and the men’s slalom delivered a great show again. New winners came up this season, and among them: the young talent Clément Noel. After a first World Cup podium in Adelboden, the slalom Junior World Champion of 2018 won his two first World Cups in Wengen and Kitzbuehel. Today, he added a third career win and earned the second spot on the season standings.

Second in today’s race was Austria’s Manuel Feller. He has a very fast turn, but sometimes struggled to lay down two solid runs. Ninth after the first run, he clocked the second fastest time of second run to reach the podium. The silver medalist of the World Championships 2017 in St.Moritz earned two podium placements already this season, in Zagreb and in Wengen.

Another winner of this slalom season was Daniel Yule. He finished third of today’s race and third in the cup standings. The Swiss athlete took his first World Cup podium in Madonna di Campiglio in December and as last season, he is always very consistent and precise. After the 5th place in the slalom standings last season, he claimed his first crystal medal this season, finishing with the same amount of points than Clément Noel, but taking third as he had one win against three for Noel.

The World Cup Finals are also a place where athletes tend to announce their retirement and enjoy their last race on the World Cup Tour. After Matthias Hargin in the Alpine Team Event on Friday and Thomas Fanara in the giant slalom on Saturday, today it was Felix Neureuther’s turn. The German super star was one of the most friendly and respected person on the Tour. With 47 World Cup podiums, 13 wins, and three World Chapmionship medals, he’s also one of the most successful German alpine skier.

Today’s race concluded the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in Soldeu El Tarter. The organising committee impressed with its hospitality and with the perfectly prepared slopes despite temperatures over 10 degrees.

Results are available here: Soldeu SL

Quotes from Clément Noel and Marcel Hirscher are available here: Soundcloud