Clément Noël triumphs in World Cup night slalom, dashing Eduard Hallberg’s hopes

By Canadian Press on January 7, 2026.

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy (AP) — Olympic champion Clément Noël secured his first victory of the season as he won a World Cup night slalom on Wednesday, spoiling Eduard Hallberg’s hopes of ending Finland’s drought.

Hallberg had led after the first run and the Finnish prodigy was looking to secure a first World Cup men’s victory for his country in nearly 20 years but ended up splitting two French skiers in Madonna Di Campiglio.

Noël, who was third after the first run, finished 0.12 seconds ahead of Hallberg and 0.37 ahead of compatriot Paco Rassat.

It was Noël’s first win in nearly a year, since triumphing in a slalom last January, and comes after two second places this season.

In November, the 22-year-old Hallberg earned Finland’s first World Cup men’s podium result since 2007 by finishing third in his home race in Levi.

The slalom at next month’s Milan Cortina Winter Olympics is scheduled for Feb. 16 in Bormio.

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AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing

The Associated Press