Hirscher wins World Cup giant slalom

VAL D’ISERE, France (AFP) –

Marcel Hirscher of Austria competes in the first run of the FIS World Cup men’s Giant slalom in Val-d’Isere, French Alps. Hirscher set the pace in the first leg of the men’s World Cup giant slalom. Hirscher stormed to victory in the men’s World Cup giant slalom.

Austrian Marcel Hirscher stormed to victory in the men’s World Cup giant slalom here on Sunday.

The 23-year-old defending overall World Cup champion led after the first leg and clocked a combined total time of 1min 54.10sec down the steep, exacting Bellevarde course in extremely cold but sunny conditions.

There was a first podium place for Germany’s Stefan Luitz, who finished second at 1.16sec.

American Ted Ligety, winner of the season’s two opening giant slaloms, was third at 1.42sec.

French tyro Alexis Pinturault, winner of Saturday’s slalom, should have been on the podium but missed a gate just metres from the finish line while he was more than 2sec up.