Clement Noel skied through the fog to win a World Cup slalom race Saturday in Adelboden, Switzerland, narrowly defeating Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen by just 0.02 seconds.
The 2022 Olympic champion, Noel, surged from third place in the initial run to claim his third win of the season. He outpaced Braathen, who switched allegiances to represent his mother's native Brazil.
Henrik Kristoffersen, Braathen's former teammate, secured third place, trailing Noel by 0.14 seconds. Kristoffersen currently leads the slalom standings ahead of his French rival.
The competition faced challenging conditions on the Chuenisbaergli hill, with steady snowfall in the morning affecting later starters. Thick fog during the afternoon run further obscured visibility, making it a tough race for all participants.
The slalom event, originally set for Sunday, was rescheduled due to weather concerns. The Adelboden giant slalom, a prestigious race on the men's World Cup circuit, was then moved to Sunday to accommodate the changes.
Marco Odermatt, the current leader in the overall and giant slalom standings, will be the favorite in the upcoming giant slalom event. The race holds significant importance as a marquee sporting event in Switzerland.
Despite the challenging conditions, the athletes showcased their skills and determination, setting the stage for more thrilling competitions in the world of alpine skiing.