Hirscher seals eighth straight overall World Cup title

Marcel Hirscher made certain of his eighth consecutive overall World Cup crown when he completed his second run in the slalom in Kranjska Gora in Slovenia on Sunday.

The Austrian began the day with a 486-point lead in the overall standings from Alexis Pinturault of France with five races to go. Hirscher was sixth after the first run. He stayed on his feet and recorded a time that ensured he would collect enough points to win his 20th total globe.

After all the competitors had finished, Hirscher was third behind winner Ramon Zenhaeusern of Switzerland and Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen. Pinturault was seventh.

Zenhaeusern was only seventh after the first run but was fastest in the second to beat Kristoffersen by 1.15sec, for a first career slalom victory, although the Swiss skier has won two World Cup city knockout races.

Kristoffersen, who had won his last three races, seemed set to add to his streak when he led by almost half a second after the first run but was only 24th second time down.

© 2019 AFP