Yule blazes to victory under Madonna lights

For ski fans, the run-up to Christmas means the night slalom at Madonna di Campiglio – and Italy’s oldest World Cup venue served up another festive treat on the famous Canalone Miramonti piste.

The appropriately-named Daniel Yule (SUI) seems to love pre-Christmas racing more than anyone. This smooth Swiss chalked up his fifth Audi FIS World Cup career slalom win – and three of them have been under the lights at Madonna.

Yule was clean and calm on a slope where others faltered, perhaps because this is his favourite venue. Yule had also triumphed here in 2019 and 2020.

“For sure I have a love affair with Madonna,” said Yule. “The slope is amazing here, I love it. I like Italian snow for some reason, and I managed to ski fast again. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year.

“The second run was really good. I was at the start gate and I heard the announcer say that this was another podium for Henrik [Kristoffersen]. I thought, 'we will see'. And I thought, ‘if I go down, I’ll go down in flames’, and I pushed it all the way.”

Yule has had a couple of average seasons after a stellar 2019-2020, and admitted that he has had to dig in to work his way back to form – but he looked back to his powerful best on Thursday.

“To be back on the top step again after a few seasons, it feels amazing. Grazie a tutti.”

Defending slalom crystal globe holder Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) was second [+0.08], and continues to be pleased with his progress using new skis.

“We had to work a bit on the first run, we changed a bit, and if we’d done that on the second run we would have been in front," he said.

"The second run was really good. With completely new equipment and technicians, it is a process, but we’ve been on podiums, and been really close to some wins. Maybe some people need to be a little bit afraid in January. Perfect doesn’t exist but better is always possible.”

Linus Strasser (GER) came third [+0.18], with a light, quick display in his first race since a break to attend the birth of his first child. “I feel very good,” he said. “With such a good result, it is even nicer to come back home and enjoy time with the family.”

Lucas Braathen (NOR) had led the field with a bold first run, but wasn’t as fluid the second time around, finishing fourth.

The young Norwegian won his first two starts of the season however – a GS and the slalom Val d’Isere. He remains at the top of the slalom standings after two of the ten rounds.

The men’s slalom continues in Garmisch on 4 January.