Marcel Hirscher dominates in Schladming

THE Night Race in Schladming is a unique experience. Over 45’000 fans are cheering for the best slalom athletes in the World and pushing them down the steep Planai course. This year, Marcel Hirscher earned a third World Cup win in Schladming, over a second over his contenders Alexis Pinturault and Daniel Yule.

The young guns were challenging him lately. Starting with Henrik Kristoffersen, his long time rival, but also within his own team with Marco Schwarz or with Clement Noel the French prodigy. But today in Schladming Marcel Hirscher made a statement, leading with -0.99 after the first run and finishing -1.21 off his closest contender. It's the 68th World Cup win and the 135th podium for the Austrian superstar.

Another Overall champion is skiing at his best slalom level ever. It's Frenchman Alexis Pinturault. With his second place today, he earned his third slalom podium this season, the sixth in career. Time management is critical when you want to call yourself an Overall skier and this summer, Pinturault chose to train more in slalom and less in the speed disciplines. It definitely paid off, as he is now in 2nd position of the Overall standings with the best slalom placement in his career.

The third spot went to Switzerland's Daniel Yule. Mr. Constant was "kick in the nipple" as he said in the slalom in Kitzbuehel, finishing “only” 18th, but he was quick to react and found his way back to the podium, celebrating his 3rd World Cup podium placement in career. His performances this season allow him to sit in 3rd place of the discipline standings, only two points behind two-time winner Clement Noel.

Before the World Championships in Åre (Sweden), the men’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup will have one last stop in Germany for a downhill and a giant slalom in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the 2nd and 3rd of March 2019.

Results are available here: Schaldming SL

Quotes are available here: Daniel Yule - Marcel Hirscher