Beijing 2022: Clement Noel becomes slalom Olympic Champion

Heading into today’s race it would have been near to impossible to predict exactly who would be standing on the podium at the end of the race. The slalom World Cup season so far has seen fourteen different podium finishes out of a possible eighteen. Today, Frenchman Clement Noel claimed the gold medal to become the slalom Olympic Champion.

Noel had previously missed out on the 2018 Olympic slalom podium by 0.04 seconds but today managed to put in two strong runs to remedy it. Starting with bib 4, he placed 6th after his first run, 0.38 seconds behind the leader. However, with a strong charge in his second run, Noel managed to clock in a total time quick enough to win and claim his first Olympic medal.

On winning Olympic gold: 
"That was one of the most important races in my career. It's not often that you are able to win a medal in the Olympic Games. It's one shot - one minute and 40 seconds every four years. 
"I knew that I was in shape. My races in January were not good but training here was really good, I was fast.
"This is the best I can do. I have no words to describe it. Olympic champion ... wooh!

On recovering from a real dip in form in the weeks leading up to these Olympic Games:
"I lost a little bit of confidence at the beginning of January and then I skied not so good in training also. I did some good runs in (the) world cup but I always made mistakes or had trouble in the second runs. 
"It really means a lot to be in my best shape on the most important day of the season."

On his blistering second run, which vaulted him from sixth to first:
"I was quite surprised when I crossed the finish line when I saw the gap. I knew it was a good second run. I was a little bit tense at the start but I tried to ski relaxed, smooth and don't ask myself too many questions and just ski free. It paid off.”

The slalom sensation of the season Johannes Strolz (AUT) clocked in the quickest time in the first run. However, he was closely followed by the Norwegian duo, Sebastian Foss-Solevaag and Henrik Kristoffersen, with only 0.06 splitting the three. The last to tackle the hill Strolz knew he needed to put in an aggressive second run to have a chance of beating Noel, however his performance wasn’t enough to claim the victory. Finishing 0.61 seconds behind the leader, Strolz wins the silver medal which is his second Olympic medal after the gold in the alpine combined.

On claiming silver having led after the first run: 
"It was really good today. The first run was very good, I found the limit. Some minor mistakes but all in all a very good run. 
"I tried to be aggressive in the second run too, I really tried to go for it. Now the silver medal, it's totally crazy. I am so happy with it, especially with this slalom season, so many guys are skiing fast right now in slalom. To share the podium with Clement (Noel, FRA, gold medallist) and Sebastian (Foss-Solevaag, NOR, bronze medallist), is amazing.

On the support behind him deserving half the credit for his two Olympic medals: 
"It means a lot to them. They know how hard I worked for this. A big part of those two medals belongs to them too because they always supported me, they always believed in me. With family and friends like that it is easier to get things done, if you have to do everything alone it's almost impossible but with that background and that support magical things can happen."

2021 slalom World Champion, Sebastian Foss-Solevaag (NOR), finished third in his first run and managed to hold onto his spot to finish third overall. Finishing 0.70 seconds behind Noel, the Norwegian claims his first Olympic slalom podium and medal.

On winning Olympic bronze after getting close four years ago: 
"It really hasn't sunk in yet. It's more of a rush. It's weird this atmosphere here too. 
"It's s a huge relief and it's a huge goal but if you have a goal that doesn't mean you will reach it.
"I had a good chance in PyeongChang last Olympics and I didn't manage to do that. So to do it today was big. I have been thinking a lot since the slalom in PyeongChang.”

On whether his 2018 result weighed on him:
"Of course you think about it. Especially a top athlete, of course people ask you about it too, so then you think about it even more. "That's what's tough about the Olympics, it's only every fourth year. Also, you only have four spots for each nation, and this and that, so it's so many factors - the chances are so slim.”

Fellow Norwegian and 2018 slalom bronze medallist, Henrik Kristoffersen, missed out on a third Olympic podium finish by 0.09 seconds to finish 4th. After his first run, Kristoffersen finished 0.02 seconds behind the leader, Kristoffersen burst out the gate in his second run but lots time on the lower half of the course and placed 4th.

On finishing fourth, and when he knew he had not done enough for the podium:
"The last two gates. I knew that the last pitch was not good, and that's how it is.
"I just ski bad. I ski too safe and technically bad."

On teammate Sebastian Foss-Solevaag (NOR) winning bronze:
"This is an individual sport. But Sebastian is a great guy, great skier, so hats off to him, congrats to him and to all the guys on the podium. For sure Clement (Noel, FRA) deserved the win, he was by far the fastest in the second run."

A very frustrating day for both Swiss skiers Loic Meillard and Daniel Yule. After their second-run performances, Meillard and Yule were heading towards 2nd and 3rd place finish. Strolz and Foss-Solevaag put an end to their dreams of an Olympic medal and the two Swiss skiers missed out on the podium by 0.10 and 0.16 seconds.

Loic Meillard on finishing fifth:
"At the end it's fine, one-tenth (of a second) off the podium, but it is how it is, it's part of the game. We keep on working to take those hundredths of a second away.
"At the end we're all here for the podium, for the medal, but there are only three spots on the top and we know in slalom we have to push, we have to take risks, and I think that's what I did, that's what I tried to do. It didn't work out my way today, but at the end it's still no regrets."

Unfortunately, some of the favourites heading into today’s race didn’t have the performances that they were hoping for. Manuel Feller (AUT), Lucas Braathen (NOR) and Jakobsen Kristoffer (SWE) all failed to finish their first run. Whilst Italian, Alex Vinatzer failed to finish his second run.

Some athletes will be competing in the mixed team parallel which is scheduled to take place on Saturday the 19th at 11:00 local time / 04:00 CET.

Quotes courtesy of the Olympic Information Service