Ski World Championships news - Sensational Marcel Hirscher wins third world Slalom title

Updated 17/02/2019 at 19:54 GMT

Marcel Hirscher was in a class of his own on Sunday as he won his third Slalom gold at the World Championships leading an Austrian clean sweep of the medals.

Marcel Hirscher of Austria wins the gold medal during the FIS World Ski Championships Men's Slalom on February 17, 2019 in Are Sweden.

Image credit: Getty Images

The 29-year-old led the pace from the opening run, finishing 0.56 ahead of his nearest rival, France's Alexis Pinturault and he never let up in the second run.

Watch the Winter Sports season live on Eurosport and the Eurosport Player

Coming into his second attempt the leader was compatriot Michael Matt, with a total time of 2:06.51.

World Championships

Chasing History: Vonn bows out with brilliant bronze

00:03:10

17/02/2019 at 20:10

Despite a couple of little wobbles, Hirscher never looked troubled and although his second run was far from stellar he had done more than enough in his first attempt, finishing with a total time of 2:05.86.

'King of Slalom' Hirscher completes hat-trick

It is Hirscher’s seventh overall World Championship gold, drawing him level with Austrian legend Toni Sailer with the most titles for men and it gives him back-to-back titles after victory in 2017.

The World Cup leader has been struggling with illness throughout the Championships and he was quick to pay tribute to his team for their hard work.

“Today it was much better than four days ago but I want to thank my whole team because they made it possible." Hirscher said.

"They worked really hard to bring me to the starting gate so thanks to them for that.

“I knew that Alexis was not in the lead so in the first part I tried to push it really, really hard and then there were two or three gates where it was bumpy.

Hirscher pays tribute to team and speculates over future

It is unbelievable after 2013 and 2017 and 2019, maybe my last World Championships and great to have my first gold.

“Our president is here, he is jumping around and having fun so everything is good.”

Hirscher’s compatriot Matt had to settle for silver after an excellent second run with fellow Austrian Marco Schwarz rounding off the top three.

Superb second run gives Matt first solo World Championships medal

It was a disaster for Pinturault, who was second after the first run, as he crashed on one of the gates.

However, he showed incredible poise to recover and shoot down the slope to finish in fourth.

One of the best turnarounds came from Great Britain’s Dave Ryding as he finished ninth.

Looking to build on a disappointing first run The Rocket flew out of the gate in his second attempt, clocking a time of 1:03.31, the third best time on the second run.

‘A brilliant run from the British number 1’ – Ryding takes lead after second run

This was enough for him to sit in the leader’s enclose for a good period of time before he was overtaken by Switzerland’s Ramon Zenhaeusern.

However 9th place represents a fantastic day’s work for Ryding, it is his best finish at the World Championships.

Rider	Time	Difference
1. Marcel Hirscher (AUS)	2:05.86
2. Michael Matt (AUS)	2:06.51	0.65
3. Marco Schwarz (AUS)	2:06.62	0.76
4. Alexis Pinturault (FRA)	2:06.79	0.93
5. Ramon Zenhaeusern (SUI)	2:06.82	0.96
6. Manuel Feller (AUS)	2:06.90	1.04
7. Clement Noel (FRA)	2:06.95	1.09
8. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR)	2:06.98	1.12
9. Dave Ryding (GBR)	2:07.03	1.17
10. Stefano Gross (ITA)	2:07.33	1.47

FIRST RUN REPORT

Defending world Slalom champion Marcel Hirscher put in a fantastic opening run to take the lead in the men’s competition on Sunday at Åre.

Hirscher, the 2017 winner, was third to run and instantly found the perfect line on the snow and found an extra gear compared to his competitors.

Watch the Alpine Skiing World Championships live on Eurosport and the Eurosport Player

His time of 1:00.60 put him 1.70 seconds clear at the time, blowing away Clement Noel and Henrik Kristoffersen.

'Breathtaking!' - Hirscher goes 1.7secs ahead of field in Slalom

The time put between himself and Kristoffersen will be particularly sweet for the 29-year-old Hirscher, after his young rival from Norway beat him to gold in the Giant Slalom.

As the rest of the competition took to the snow the only rider who get close to Hirscher’s time was Alexis Pinturault, who finished 0.56 back from the Austrian.

It was a fantastic opening run for the Austrians in general as Marco Schwarz currently sits in the bronze medal position with Michael Matt and Manuel Feller rounding off the top five as well as Christian Hirschbuhl in eighth.

Olympic champion Andre Myhrer, who has struggled for form all season, was a way off Hirscher in front of his home crowd, clocking a time of 1:02.88, 2.28 behind the leader.

Great Britain’s Dave Ryding started with a good pace but like other riders he was caught out by some segments later on down the course and finished 1:03.72.

FIRST RUN RESULTS

Rider	Time	Difference
1. Marcel Hirscher (AUS)	1:00.60
2. Alexis Pinturault (FRA)	1:01.16	0.56
3. Marco Schwarz (AUS)	1:01.82	1.22
4. Michael Matt (AUS)	1:01.95	1.35
5. Manuel Feller (AUS)	1:01.98	1.38
6. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR)	1:02.30	1.70
7. Loic Meillard (SUI)	1:02.67	2.07
8. Clement Noel (FRA)	1:02.78	2.18
9. Christian Hirschbuehl	1:02.82	2.22
10. Andre Myhrer (SWE)	1:02.88	2.28

World Championships

Chasing History: Vonn reflects on her crash in the Super G

00:02:41

17/02/2019 at 19:34

World Championships

Chasing History: The reason why I wanted to retire

00:00:54

17/02/2019 at 19:29

World Championships

‘A brilliant run from the British number 1’ – Ryding takes lead after second run

00:01:37

17/02/2019 at 18:03

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me