Marcel Hirscher defies difficult conditions to win slalom

The Austrian, who broke his ankle in pre-season training in August but now looks fully recovered, was only eighth fastest after the first leg in heavy snow and poor visibility.

But the 28-year-old bounced back to produce a perfect second run and win with a combined time of one minute 41.94 seconds, 0.39 seconds ahead of ahead of Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen while Andre Myhrer of Sweden was third.

Twenty-four skiers fell victim to the conditions as they failed to complete the first run.

Hirscher's second World Cup win of the season, following his giant slalom victory at Beaver Creek one week earlier, lifted him to second in the overall standings behind Kristoffersen. (Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Toby Davis)