Bulgarian Albert Popov is eighth after the first run of the slalom of the Alpine Skiing World Cup in Val d'Isere, the eighth round of the regular season. The Bulgarian finished the first race on the French course in 48.75 seconds and was 0.18 behind four-time winner of the discipline Linus Strasser from Germany, BTA reports.
Popov, whose record remains third place in the slalom in Palisades Tahoe in early 2023, is 1.31 seconds behind the temporary leader Steven Amiez. The 26-year-old Frenchman's best result in the event is fourth place in Austria this season.
Amiez beat Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen, the leader in the overall World Cup standings, by 0.32 seconds, with Austrian Manuel Feller 0.66 seconds behind. The winner of the first two slaloms of the season, Stephane Noel of France, did not start.
Albert Popov recorded two 18th-place finishes in slaloms in Finland and Austria in November. The next start is on December 23 in Alba Badia, Italy.