Alpine Ski World Cup: Manuel Feller leads Austrian slalom sweep as Britain's Dave Ryding finishes fourth

Maunel Feller led an Austrian podium sweep in the opening men's slalom race of the 2023-24 Alpine Ski World Cup, while Briton Dave Ryding took fourth. Feller beat his compatriot Marco Schwarz by 0.23 seconds in Gurgl, while another Brit, Billy Major, came 16th, as climate protesters disrupted the action. The women's downhill in Zermatt/Cervinia was cancelled due to high winds.

Manuel Feller led an Austrian podium sweep in the opening men's slalom race of the 2023/24 Alpine Ski World Cup, while Briton Dave Ryding took fourth.

Feller took top spot to record his first win since 2021 with a time of 1:47.23 in front of a home crowd in Gurgl, 0.23 seconds ahead of compatriot Marco Schwarz.

Michael Matt came home 1.05 seconds behind Feller to complete an all-Austrian top three, with an inspired Ryding just 0.01 seconds off the podium.

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Feller led the way after the first run thanks to a time of 53.22 and was able to hold onto his place at the summit despite Schwarz and Matt clocking second run times of 53.08 and 53.14, respectively.

Last season's slalom silver medallist, Henrik Kristoffersen, could only muster a seventh-place finish in the opener, with compatriot Timon Haugan leading the Norwegian contingent in sixth following the retirement of reigning champion Lucas Braathen.

Kristoffersen regained his composure to finish in the top 10, having reacted angrily to earlier disruption caused by climate protesters.

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Reigning Olympic champion Clement Noel finished 12th in the field, ending up nearly a second behind Feller after the first run, and the Frenchman was forced to settle for a combined time of 1:49.09.

Ryding's British team-mate, Billy Major, came 16th, while Laurie Taylor did not finish.

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