Clément Noël wins First Slalom of the season in Val d'Isère, showing that he will be the man to beat this year in Slalom. He has claimed nine World Cup wins in the slalom discipline. The 24-year-old Frenchman delivered a flawless performance at his home race and came out on top with the two fastest times.
Before Noël, the latest French skier to win the opening slalom event of a World Cup season was Jean-Baptiste Grange, who won the opener in Levi in 2010-2011.
Noël finished second in the slalom standings in each of the last three World Cup seasons. He can become the third Frenchman in the last 50 World Cup seasons to win the slalom globe, after Sébastien Amiez (1995-1996) and Jean-Baptiste Grange (2008-2009).
"It was an incredible day. The race was perfect, the organizers did a great job. My family is here too, I'm just happy right now. The first run was very good, the second run was a big fight, but I was fast. I don't have much more to say, it was just a great day", said a happy Noël.
Kristoffer Jakobsen finished in second place, +1.40 seconds behind the French skier. It is his first podium in the World Cup. His best result was 6th place in Levi and here in Val d'Isère in 2019.
Filip Zubcic rounded out the podium in third place (+1.85). It is his first podium in Slalom. His previous nine podiums in the World Cup were in the Giant Slalom discipline.
