Back to earth for Clément Noël. The Olympic slalom champion in Beijing missed his return to the World Cup, with two withdrawals in quick succession in the slaloms of Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) on Saturday and Sunday, both won by the Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen. “I do not really understand, said Clément Noël. It’s often been like that this winter, it’s not easy to accept at the time.” Since his victory at home in Val d’Isère in December, Clément Noël has never been on the podium, except at the Olympics.
Alexis Pinturault is better
Also struggling between the stakes this season, Alexis Pinturault has gained confidence on the Garmisch-Partenkirchen track. “I could potentially hope for better than 12th place (Sunday)but when I take a good look and analyze everything is not to be thrown away, says the Courchevel skier. In these two days, even if they are gray, there is still a lot of pink.” Arrived 15th on Saturday, he repeats the mantra which he hopes will allow him to come back quickly: “I have to be able to detach myself from the results to focus on my feelings.”
Another satisfaction on the French side: the young Paco Rassat from Aillons-Margériaz, qualified for the first time in a second round in the World Cup, after his 28th place in the first run this Sunday. Unfortunately in the second run, the young 23-year-old skier had to give up after going off the track.