Norway's Timon Haugan claimed a sixth World Cup win in the slalom at Val d'Isere, France
Val-d’Isère (France) (AFP) - Norway’s Timon Haugan powered to victory in the Val d’Isere slalom on Sunday for his sixth World Cup win and first this season edging out early leader Loic Meillard of Switzerland.
Haugan clocked a combined 1min 37.89sec to finish 0.28sec ahead of Meillard who had led ahead of the Norwegian after the first run in the French Alps.
Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen was third overall at 0.34sec.
For Haugan it was a “perfect weekend” after placing fourth in Saturday’s giant slalom which Meillard won.
“It’s a tough hill, tough with the tracks,” said Haugan.
“So many guys going out and doing a lot of mistakes so I was just nervous that it could happen to me as well.
“I managed to follow my plan and avoid the big mistakes and get a big victory.”
The demanding Face de Bellevarde piste nearly produced a dramatic finish, with spectacular comebacks from Italian Alex Vinatzer and Norwegians Oscar Andreas Sandvik and Hans Grahl-Madsen, who gained 21, 18, and 22 places respectively, ultimately finishing just off the podium.
Olympic slalom champion Clement Noel of France was left frustrated after finishing eighth fastest in the first run and failing to finish the second.
With a third different winner in as many races, following Brazilian Lucas Braathen in Levi and Frenchman Paco Rassat in Gurgl, the slalom season is off to a competitive start with the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina from February 6-22.
Haugan, who has a record-extending seven consecutive top-five slalom finishes, leads the slalom standings 55 points ahead of Rassat.
“A few small mistakes too many to be on the top, but it was definitely a nice fight and good skiing as well,” said Meillard, who missed a chance to achieve the first giant slalom and slalom double in the Alpine resort since 1964.
“We always want (the win), that’s for sure, but I think I can be happy with how I skied, with the way I pushed,” the Swiss reigning slalom world champion added.