The 71st 3Tre added another fairy tale to its storied history. Fifty years after launching Ingemar Stenmark's legendary career - with the Swedish great watching in the VIP’s parterre - Madonna di Campiglio witnessed another breakthrough on Wednesday January 8th.

In a slalom season refusing to follow the script, Albert Popov wrote his own chapter. The 27-year-old Bulgarian's triumph marked his nation's first World Cup victory since Petar Popangelov's 1980 slalom win in Lenggries.

Though sitting eighth after first run, trailing a flawless Atle Lie McGrath by 1.08 seconds, Popov attacked the Canalone Miramonti's second set with fearless precision. Swiss coach Joris's technical course proved no match for the compact Bulgarian, whose 0.74-second advantage over three-time Campiglio winner Henrik Kristoffersen signaled something special brewing.

The dream crystallized as challengers faltered. Matt and Feller exited, while Amiez and Strasser couldn't match the pace. Of the final three, only Loic Meillard and Samuel Kolega reached the finish - claiming second and third respectively, with Kolega celebrating his first World Cup podium. Meillard's fourth podium in five season slaloms launched him to the discipline lead.

McGrath's perfect night ended with a straddle on the steeps in a run with 9 DNFs, summing up with 1^st run’s victims such as Noel, Haugan, and defending champion Schwarz. For Popov, whose sole previous podium came at Palisades Tahoe 2023, fantasy became reality.

"This means everything - it rewards years of training and sacrifices away from family," Popov reflected. "Results like this drive you forward. Bringing Bulgaria back to victory matters deeply. I want to inspire more kids onto skis, showing them great achievements are possible."

The men's Audi FIS World Cup season keeps rewriting records - a third straight first-time winner following Bormio's Monney and Moeller, bringing the season's new victor count to six from fifteen races.

Italy's drought continues despite legends in attendance - Valanga Azzurra heroes, Alberto Tomba, and last home winner Giorgio Rocca watching helplessly. Stefano Gross, Italy's sole qualifier after Vinatzer's first-run exit, showed early promise before a late error derailed his charge to 21st - disappointing for both athlete and team on home snow.

The packed 14,150-strong crowd remained electric, in a stadium made even more scenic by Tuesday's snowfall. In addition to Stenmark and the Italian greats, special guests included also Marc Girardelli,  Olympic sailing champion Ruggero Tita, and Giuliano Razzoli taking his career farewell lap as forerunner.

"3Tre delivers fresh magic every year, as tonight proved," said 3Tre President Lorenzo Conci. "The Canalone Miramonti showcased another world-class battle. We're proud to welcome a worthy new champion to our remarkable winners' list, including plenty of greats that we were proud to welcome over these days, Stenmark to Tomba, Girardelli to Rocca, Gros to Thoeni."

"Thanks to everyone making this possible – the whole 3Tre Committee, Madonna di Campiglio Tourism board, Trentino Marketing, the Autonomous Province of Trento, Pinzolo and Tre Ville municipalities, our partners, and the entire professional and volunteer team. See you next January 7," Conci concluded.