Pinturault in control in opening World Cup GS

The 25-year-old led home favourite Marcel Hirscher by 0.17 seconds heading into the second run of the day, and the Austrian laid down the gauntlet with a scintillating run to lead Felix Neureuther by 0.67 seconds.

But not to be outdone, Pinturault himself then went fastest, stunningly taking over half a second out of last year’s Overall and Giant Slalom champion’s time to claim his 16th World Cup victory by 0.70 seconds.

Despite his Combined title last season, Pinturault finished second to Hirscher in the Giant Slalom standings and came third Overall.

But having become the first man to win the Overall title five years running, Hirscher will certainly have one eye over his shoulder with Pinturault hinting there may be a changing of the guard this season.