Ski ace Albert Popov celebrated an emotional victory. © ANSA / ANDREA SOLERO

After a severe stroke of fate, he is now World Cup winner

The entire skiing world is delighted about this story: underdog Albert Popov won his first World Cup victory in Madonna di Campiglio on Wednesday. His story is deeply touching.

09 January 2025

From: det

When Albert Popov looked at the huge live screen in the finish area of ​​Madonna di Campiglio late on Wednesday evening and saw that the half-time leader Atle Lie McGrath had been eliminated, the Bulgarian could hardly believe his luck. This failure made the 27-year-old ski underdog’s first World Cup victory a reality. “This is the best feeling there is,” said Popov in the ensuing euphoria.

For the first time in 45 years, there is a Bulgarian winner in the Ski World Cup. And it is a winner who has a very emotional story behind him. Popov narrowly escaped death a few years ago.

An accident that changed a lot

What happened? On November 17, 2015, the young Albert Popov was on his way to Sölden with his trainer Drago Grubelnik and his assistant trainer when the great accident happened. The car came off the road and plunged 270 meters into the depths. Trainer Grubelnik died in hospital a short time later, and the assistant trainer was seriously injured. Popov, on the other hand, had a huge guardian angel. He only suffered a broken ankle and wounds to his face in this horror crash. The Bulgarian later said that he could not remember the accident.

Albert Popov secured a memorable victory. © APA/afp / PIERRE TEYSSOT

This stroke of fate has left its mark on Popov. When he is successful, such as the giant slalom bronze medal at the 2018 Junior World Championships in Davos, he often thinks of his late coach. "I hope Drago is proud of me. He contributed a lot to me making it this far," he once said. Now the power man has celebrated his first victory - and is making his coach in heaven even prouder.