Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway continued his fine form of late to win a World Cup night slalom race in Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy. The 21-year-old
ADVERTISEMENTHenrik Kristoffersen of Norway continued his fine form of late to win a World Cup night slalom race in Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy.
The 21-year-old laid down the marker in the first run which he topped by over a full second.
He then followed that with a solid second effort to win a second slalom race, nine days after topping the podium in Val d’Isere, France.
It was the Olympic bronze medalist’s sixth career World Cup victory.
He also became the first male skier to win the opening two slaloms of the season since Austria’s Reinfried Herbst six years ago.
Reigning four-time overall World Cup champion Marcel Hirscher took the runners up spot behind Kristoffersen – just like he did in Val d’Isere.
The Austrian was nearly hit by a crashing drone as he bombed down the Canalone Miramonti course in a bid to make up the time and eventually crossed over 1.25 seconds off the pace.
With second place however Hirscher goes to the top of the overall world cup standings, 23 points clear of Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal.
Unheralded Marco Schwarz shined under artificial lights at the Italian resort.
The 20-year old Austrian was 17th after his first run but then posted the second fastest time to soar up the leaderboard in spectacular fashion and into third place – his first ever visit to a World Cup podium.
He is now fourth in the slalom standings which are led by Kristoffersen.