World Cup continues with a first

The final stop of the 2017-18 World Cup season prior to the well-deserved Christmas break takes place in Cervinia on December 21 and 22, 2017.

The Italian ski resort at the foot of Matterhorn celebrates its first as World Cup venue putting its experience of hosting two Europa Cup races in the balance.

It's the fifth of twelve tour stops this winter with the race for the Crystal Globe in full swing already.

In the men's event, World Cup leader Alex Pullin lost some of his advantage on his pursuers when the Australian decided to sit out the Montafon event due to a training crash.

However, the two-time World Champion, currently sitting on the top spot of the ranking with 2,426 points, still has a comfortable lead on Pierre Vaultier (FRA).

The reigning Olympic Champion hasn't placed on the podium yet but has accumulated 1,720 points so far with Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT; 1,670) in third.

Two more Australians round out the men's top-5: Jarryd Hughes jumped in fourth (1,540) due to his Montafon win, and Adam Lambert (1,470) is currently placing fifth.

Over in the women's event, five-time World Champion Lindsey Jacobellis (USA; 3,060) and French racer Chloe Trespeuch (2,850) have gained quite a lead on four girls, who are keen to close the gap again in Cervinia.

Michela Moioli (ITA; 2,230) is hoping to keep the momentum from her Montafon win going into her home soil World Cup event. And Faye Gulini (USA; 2,110), Nelly Moenne Loccoz (FRA; 1,820) and Charlotte Bankes (FRA; 1,750) are also no strangers to the podium.

Qualifiers for the Cervinia World Cup stop are slated to take place on Thursday, December 21, starting with the men at 11 AM CET.

The finals are scheduled for Friday, December 22, at 12 PM CET with Live TV information available here.

Live timing links for both, qualifiers and finals, can be found here.