Austrian Hirscher wins Val d’Isere slalom

VAL-D’ISERE, France: Austrian Marcel Hirscher called on all his experience to master incredibly tough conditions and deliver a fast-charging second run to snatch victory in the World Cup slalom in Val d’Isere on Sunday.

Starting in eighth position in the second run, during which the top 30 from the first run start from the slowest up, six-time World Cup overall champion Hirscher clocked the second fastest time of 52.39sec for a winning combined total of 1min 41.94sec.

It was the 28-year-old Hirscher’s 47th victory on the circuit and 21st in the slalom, the most technical discipline skiers tackle, and a perfect confidence booster just under two months away from the Winter Olympics in South Korea.

“We made a little adjustment (for the second run) and obviously it worked, it felt much better so thanks to the whole team,” Hirscher said.

“It was very tough, I’ve never seen so much snow in one hour. We’re just thankful we could race today,” he said, praising the course workers for tirelessly clearing the course.

Hirscher, who made his comeback last month after being out of action with a fractured ankle sustained in August, was understandably thrilled with his victory.

“The results are pretty good!” he said, admitting to now feeling extremely nervous despite his experience.

“Before the race I was really nervous because I’ve missed so many training days... I get so nervous before races, ‘Am I ready for this or not?’, so many questions.

“Every turn makes you stronger.” Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, slalom winner in Val d’Isere in the last two seasons ahead of Hirscher, claimed second, 0.39sec adrift of Hirscher and just one-hundredth of a second ahead of third-placed Swede Andre Myhrer.