site.btaAlbert Popov Wins Balkan Cup Giant Slalom in Bansko

Bulgarian alpine skier Albert Popov won a men's giant slalom race in Bansko on Sunday, which was part of the Balkan Cup finals. The event involved 58 male and 32 female skiers from 17 countries.

Popov, who was having his first giant slalom since the World Championships in Courchevel, France in February 2023, clocked 1:51.73 min. Another Bulgarian, Konstantin Stoilov, finished second, 1.26 sec behind Popov, followed by Jack Cunningham of the UK, who came in third, 2.41 sec behind Popov.

In the women's division, Bulgaria's Luisa Bertani scored a clear victory on 1:56.56 min of racing time. The UK's Lois Jackson came in second, 0.82 sec behind Bertani, and third place went to Elena Stoilova of Bulgaria.

The event was organized by the Bulgarian Ski Federation and the Yulen company which operates the Bansko ski area.

A Balkan Cup slalom will be held on the Tomba ski slope in Bansko on Monday. Albert Popov and the other members of the Bulgarian national alpine ski team will take part.

Popov's status as Bulgaria's most successful alpine skier of all time is only challenged by Petar Popangelov, who was active in the late 1970s and the 1980s. Popov made a World Cup podium in Palisades Tahoe (United States) on February 26, 2023, when he finished third in the slalom race. He boasts six top-10 world slalom finishes.