Albert Popov gave Bulgaria’s ski team its first World Cup victory in 45 years by triumphing in a slalom on Wednesday as four of the favourites skied out of the night race in Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy..

The victory came on the anniversary of Peter Popangelov’s win in Lenggries, Germany on Jan. 8, 1980.

Eighth-fastest after the opening run, Popov put down a brilliant second run on the Canalone Miramonti course and the 27-year-old tipped his head back and let out a scream of joy after crossing the finish line in a two-run time of one minute 45.22 seconds.

He then faced an anxious wait to see if it would be good enough for what would be a second-ever podium place.

Reigning slalom World Cup champion Manuel Feller looked set to challenge him, but he lost his balance and hit a gate, failing to finish for the third time in five starts in slalom this season.

WATCH | Popov victorious by 0.44 seconds over Loic Meillard:

Albert Popov captures his first FIS World Cup victory in men’s slalom

Bulgaria’s Albert Popov became the first Bulgarian to win a FIS World Cup slalom event in 45 years with his victory in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. Popov won the event in a time of 1:45.22 to score his first career FIS World Cup victory.

Atle Lie McGrath had dominated the first run, leading by more than half a second, and was hoping for a first victory in almost three years.

The Norwegian had an advantage of 1.21 over Popov after the first split but he threw away his colossal lead as he straddled a gate.

Popov finished 44-100ths of a second ahead of Switzerland’s Loic Meillard (1:45.66) and 46-100ths in front of Croatia’s Samuel Kolega (1:45.68), who recorded his first-ever World Cup podium.

Olympic champion Clement Noel, who won the opening two slalom races of the season, and Norwegian skier Timon Haugan, who dominated the last slalom in Alta Badia, both skied out on the first run.

Meillard moved top of the discipline standings, 10 points ahead of world champion Henrik Kristoffersen and 85 points above Noel.

Calgary’s Erik Read and Montreal’s Simon Fournier were the only two Canadians in the competition and neither cracked the top 30 to advance to the second run. Read was 35th in 54.56 seconds and Fournier 46th (55.11).

WATCH | Full replay coverare of Wednesday’s 2nd run in Italy:

FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Madonna di Campiglio : Men’s slalom run 2

Watch the final run of the men’s slalom competition from the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup stop in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.