Four years after the bitter mistake at the final gate that cost him victory in Madonna di Campiglio, Clément Noël has finally claimed his revenge. On Wednesday, January 7th, the reigning Olympic champion secured the 72nd edition of the 3Tre with the composure of an athlete who has won almost everything in slalom, yet continues to pursue new goals.

Thirty-four years after Patrice Bianchi’s triumph, France returned to the top step of the podium in what has been the most thrilling slalom of the World Cup season so far – a race decided by heart-stopping margins, with eight athletes separated by just half a second behind the new Maglia Fulmine.

Behind Noël, author of a textbook second run on an icy Canalone Miramonti prepared to perfection by the course crew led by piste director Adriano Alimonta, the season’s slalom revelations once again confirmed their status. Finland’s Eduard Hallberg (+0.12), fastest in the first run, repeated the podium finish he achieved earlier this season on home snow in Levi. Alongside him, fellow Frenchman Paco Rassat (+0.37), already a winner in Gurgl and increasingly comfortable among the very top of the standings, delivered a strong comeback, climbing from 16th after the first run to third place in the second.

"It was a tough, yet beautiful race,” Noël commented afterwards. “The first run was very tight, and anything could have happened in the second. Then I am really happy about how I managed the second run. I feel I showed really good skiing; it was definitely not an easy one. Now I can finally say that I have won on this slope, and this makes me really happy because it was the last “classic” that I didn’t win. January is a big month and a really important one for us. All the best races of the season are coming up, so I just want to be fast and try my best, like today.”

Brazilian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen narrowly missed the podium in Madonna di Campiglio, finishing fourth just four tenths of a second off the lead. There was no podium glory this time for Norway, while still placing three athletes inside the top ten: Eirik Solberg in fifth, Timon Haugan in sixth and Atle Lie McGrath in eighth. Expectations were also unmet for three-time 3Tre winner Henrik Kristoffersen, who ended the race in 15th place after a second run marked by several mistakes. Last year’s winner, Bulgaria’s Albert Popov, did not finish the second run after straddling a gate. The tricky course set by Austria’s coach Füss, made plenty of victims, taking no less than 9 competitors out of contention in the 2nd run.

Finland’s Eduard Hallberg was happy with another solid placement, albeit he was aiming for the full prize after his standout opening run: “It feels good, second podium in this season for me. Of course, a little bittersweet, the goal is always first place, but overall, I am very happy with the race today. I can definitely say that I am having a good season. The goal is to keep this momentum, and then everything is possible in the next races.”

Paco Rassat could celebrate not only his second podium of the season, but also the opportunity of sharing it with his friend and fellow countryman Noël: “It’s amazing to start the month like this and to do another podium after Gurgl here in Campiglio, sharing it with Clement. I am very happy also for him, this is the first time for him to win here. I am feeling good on the skis, I always try to ski as fast as possible, we’ll see where it goes for the next weeks.”

The home team of Italy delivered yet another subdued performance on the Canalone Miramonti. Tommaso Sala and Matteo Canins collected a handful of World Cup points, climbing to 19th and 21st place respectively, but their time gaps clearly highlighted how far they still are from the very best, with Alex Vinatzer was already out midway through the first run.

The Italians’ disappointing performance did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the 14,000 spectators, who provided an impressive backdrop on the Canalone Miramonti. Past champions such as Alberto Tomba, Marc Girardelli, Giorgio Rocca, Ole Kristian Furuseth, Ivano Edalini, Giuliano Razzoli and Kristian Ghedina were also in attendance. Worth noting was the great success of the new hospitality areas, which enhanced the overall Canalone Miramonti experience and rewarded the commitment of the 3Tre Committee and the local territory in delivering an event that continues to grow in quality across every dimension.

“It was a wonderful evening,” explained 3Tre Committee President Lorenzo Conci. “We witnessed a race of the highest level on a perfect slope, elevated by a crowd that was not only numerous, but truly engaged and emotionally involved in the spectacle. It is always a source of pride to hear athletes praise not only the course, but a slalom capable of delivering excitement, battles and dramatic twists". 

“A heartfelt thank you goes to the 3Tre Committee, Madonna di Campiglio Tourism Board and Trentino Marketing, the Autonomous Province of Trento, the municipalities of Pinzolo and Tre Ville, our partners and, of course, all those – volunteers and professionals alike – who contributed to the success of the event. The focus now shifts to the second 3Tre of the calendar year, which will mark the return of our slalom to its traditional date of December 22nd.”