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Marcel Hirscher wins GS race, Crystal Globe at World Cup Finals

Austrian lays down perfect second run to overcome Felix Neureuther

By Scott Condon | The Aspen Times
World Cup men's giant slalom overall champion Austria's Marcel Hirscher holds up the crystal globe trophy after a men's World Cup giant slalom ski race Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Aspen, Colo. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Brennan Linsley, Associated Press

Marcel Hirscher showed Aspen why he’s a champion Saturday in the men’s giant slalom in the World Cup Finals.

Hirscher of Austria overcame a .01 second deficit in the first run and warming temperatures to lay down a flawless second run. He defeated Felix Neureuther of Germany by more than a half second.

The victory was the third in a row for Hirscher and capped another incredible season. He won the Crystal Globe in men’s giant slalom and he also wrapped up the overall title before the Finals.

Hirscher’s combined time in the giant slalom was 1:49.79. Neureuther was 0.53 back. Mathieu Faivre of France was third.

PHOTOS: Action shots from Saturday’s races

Alexis Pinturault of France, who was second overall in the giant slalom, skied off the course and did not finish. He had consistently defeated Hirscher this season, with three victories, but he also disqualified numerous times to lose valuable points.

Hirscher looked smooth and powerful on his first run, linking turns in areas where most other racers appeared choppy. He topped Pinturault, who was first out of the gate, by 0.22 seconds.

But his first-run lead was short-lived. Neureuther came just two skiers after Hirscher and topped him by 0.01 with a time of 53.11 seconds.

The order was reversed for the second run, with Hirscher second to last and Neureuther the final skier on the slope.


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