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The Valaisian prevails in Madonna di Campiglio and celebrates his 5th World Cup victory.
The pedestal
- 1. Daniel Yule (SUI) 1:37.67 minutes
- 2. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) +0.08 seconds
- 3. Linus Strasser (GER) +0.18
Madonna di Campiglio and Daniel Yule, that just fits. After 2018 and 2020, the Valaisan celebrated a World Cup victory in the floodlit spectacle in the Italian winter sports resort for the third time in his career. Overall it was the 5th success at this level, his last victory was almost 3 years ago.
“I can’t really explain why I’m always doing so well,” Yule explained after the race. But he would particularly like the slope and the fact that it was driven under floodlights.
New race, new podium
The 29-year-old already showed in the first round that the slope suits him again this year. He finished fourth, within striking distance of the podium. In the final, Yule drove aggressively and flawlessly, relegating Henrik Kristoffersen to second place by 8 hundredths.
None of the drivers in front of him at half-time managed to displace Yule. Linus Strasser (GER) finished right behind the duo, Loïc Meillard caught up just before the finish. And Lucas Braathen, who had dominated the first run, managed too much and fell off the podium in 4th place.
Meillard had to take a hit just before Christmas. After he had shone in the so far only slalom in Val d’Isère as 3rd, he went away empty-handed this time. Also noteworthy: None of the podium riders from Val d’Isère (Braathen, Manuel Feller, Meillard) was able to double in Madonna.
The other Swiss
- 11. Luca Aerni
- 21. Ramon Zenhauser
- 26. Noël von Grünigen
- DNF Loïc Meillard
- DNF Marc Rochat
With Luca Aerni, a second Swiss had reason to be happy. The man, who often goes to – and often over – the limit, made up 10 places in the final and came in a strong 11th. Last winter he was only able to top this result in Adelboden (5th) and Flachau (10th).
Noel von Grünigen also got his first World Cup points in almost two years. However, with an early start number in the second heat, he missed out on moving up the field. Ramon Zenhousen cannot be completely satisfied with his placement either.
Tanguy Nef, Joël Lütolf (both eliminated) and Sandro Simonet failed in the second round. Nef, who caused a sensation for the first time 3 years ago with a 6th place at the same venue, already intervened with the 2nd goal. He was eliminated 4 times in the last 5 slaloms and is still waiting for the first World Cup points of the winter.
Noun (non) est omen
A year ago, in Madonna di Campiglio, Clément Noël missed the certain victory with a mistake just before the finish. This time, two days before Christmas Eve, the man with the Christmas name again got nothing; he threaded in the 2nd run.
This is how it goes
After the women, the men also deserve the Christmas break. The speed cracks continue on December 28th and 29th with a downhill and a Super-G in Bormio. The technicians are allowed to recover until the slalom of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on January 4th.