Clément Noël faces an uphill battle to win his first crystal globe in slalom, needing both Henrik Kristoffersen to falter and Loïc Meillard to underperform. Despite recent frustrations and challenging races, Noël remains focused on finishing strong. His impressive season included victories in Finland and Austria, but a crash at the World Championships impacted his momentum. With aspirations for future success, including the 2026 Olympics, he aims to continue proving his talent at just 28 years old.
Clément Noël’s Quest for the Crystal Globe
Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that Clément Noël will secure his first crystal globe in slalom this Thursday. Having achieved second place for three consecutive seasons from 2019 to 2021, he now finds himself reliant on external circumstances at the World Cup finals in Sun Valley. Even a victory against American competitors won’t guarantee his success; he needs Henrik Kristoffersen, the Norwegian skier, to finish outside the top 16, which would require a significant misstep on his part. Furthermore, he hopes that the Swiss skier Loïc Meillard finishes no better than third. This complex scenario may hold too many uncertainties to become reality, though sports history is filled with remarkable comebacks.
Facing Challenges with Determination
Despite the slim chances, Clément remains pragmatic about his situation. After finishing seventh in the latest slalom in Hafjell, Norway, he acknowledged the formidable competition, stating, “Even without a stellar performance, Henrik Kristoffersen finished 5th, proving he’s not backing down. Loïc Meillard has been exceptional since the World Championships, so they’ll be vying for the crystal globe together. My focus is simply on finishing my last race strong, skiing the way I want to and aiming for speed.” Although he feels a sense of resignation and frustration, he also emphasizes his commitment: “I’ve been grappling with some frustration lately for various reasons. I exited the World Championships while skiing well and faced challenging conditions in my last two races. It has been a while since I’ve delivered a performance I’m proud of, but I’m doing my best.”
His initial season performance had sparked high hopes for clinching the crystal globe, showcasing his undeniable talent. With victories in Levi (Finland) and Gurgl (Austria), he quickly made his mark. Despite a setback in Val d’Isère, where a crash during his only giant slalom of the season hindered his slalom participation the following day, he bounced back with a sixth-place finish in Alta Badia (Italy), followed by wins in Adelboden (Switzerland) and Kitzbühel (Austria). This last victory placed him in the annals of French alpine skiing, breaking Jean-Noël Augert’s record with his 14th World Cup win. At that point, the dream of achieving a dual world title and crystal globe seemed within reach.
However, the World Championships in Saalbach proved to be a significant turning point for Clément. He was in contention for the title until a crash halted his momentum just before the finish line in the second run, despite having the best time in the first run. Remaining optimistic, he stated, “I won’t dwell on this failure. I still have races left this season, and I’ll focus on performing well.” Yet, he struggled to regain his usual prowess on the softer, less icy snow conditions that he prefers. As a result, he finished in an unremarkable tenth place in Kranjska Gora (Slovenia), followed by a seventh place in Hafjell, leaving him 86 points behind Kristoffersen. Although it feels like a distant goal, he still has the opportunity to achieve a fifth victory in Sun Valley this Thursday, with the first run at 5 PM and the second at 8 PM. “The goal remains to win as often as possible and demonstrate that we’ve put in the work,” he commented in L’Équipe. “Four victories already is impressive. My season could still be 95% successful, even without a globe or a World Championship medal.” Looking ahead, Clément aims for a double triumph at the 2026 Olympics and the crystal globe, and at just 28 years old, his future is still bright.