Albert Popov gave the Bulgarian ski team its first World Cup victory in 45 years with a slalom triumph on Wednesday, while four favorites missed the night race in Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy.
The victory came on the anniversary of Pyotr Popangelov's only victory for Bulgaria in Lenggries, Germany on January 8, 1980.
“A long time ago,” Popov said. “It means a lot and I want to see more children skiing in Bulgaria and I think it will be very important for them and they will start to believe that it is possible, and I think it is very important for our country.”
Eighth fastest after the first run, Popov made a brilliant second run at the Canalone Miramonti track, and the 27-year-old tilted his head back and let out a cry of joy after crossing the finish line in two runs of one minute 45.22 seconds.
Then he anxiously waited to see if he would have enough for his second podium finish in history.
Reigning World Cup slalom champion Manuel Feller seemed ready to challenge him, but lost his balance and hit the goal, failing to finish for the third time in five slalom starts this season.
WATCH | Popov won by 0.44 seconds over Loice Meillard:
Bulgarian Albert Popov, thanks to his victory in Madonna di Campiglio in Italy, became the first Bulgarian to win the FIS World Cup slalom in 45 years. Popov won the competition with a time of 1:45.22 and scored his first FIS World Cup victory.
Atle Lie McGrath dominated the first round, leading by over half a second and looking for his first victory in almost three years.
After the first split, the Norwegian had a 1.21 advantage over Popov, but when he stepped astride the goal, he lost his huge lead.
“It's a dream come true and it's going to be a long time coming,” Popov said. “I have waited a long time and I am happy that it is at Madonna Di Campiglio. I love the race, I love the slope, I love the people.”
Popov finished 44-100 seconds ahead of the Swiss Loice Meillard (1:45.66) and 46-100 seconds ahead of the Croatian Samuel Kolega (1:45.68), who stood on the World Cup podium for the first time in history.
“A lot of work to get here.”
“I'm really at a loss for words right now,” said Friend. “It took a lot of work to get here. There are many people to thank for this. It's not just me, it's the whole team, many people who supported me all the time.
“For me today it's not just about the podium. I've never scored World Cup points on this hill before, and today it was a real breakthrough for me.”
WATCH | Full replay of Wednesday's second stint in Italy:
Watch the final run of the men's slalom competition from the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup stop in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
Olympic champion Clement Noel, who won the first two slalom races of the season, and Norwegian skier Timon Haugan, who dominated the final slalom at Alta Badia, both skied down after their first run.
Meillard climbed to the top of the discipline rankings, 10 points ahead of world champion Henrik Kristoffersen and 85 points ahead of Noel.
“It's definitely not the easiest race, it's always a challenge here at Madonna,” Meillard said. “There were a few mistakes, but in the end another podium.
“Everything is working fine at the moment. When you get some good results, you also have the confidence to push even harder.”
Three-time defending overall champion Marco Odermatt, who does not compete in slalom, remained at the top of the general classification, but his advantage over Kristoffersen decreased to 116 points.
In just three days there will be another slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland, a giant slalom the next day and three more slalom races in the packed January calendar.
Erik Read of Calgary and Simon Fournier of Montreal were the only Canadians to compete and neither placed in the top 30 to advance to the second series. Read was 35th in 54.56 seconds and Fournier 46th (55.11).