Alpine Skiing news - Electric Hirscher edges Kristoffersen to take slalom gold in Levi

Updated 18/11/2018 at 14:10 GMT

A stunning performance from Marcel Hirscher saw him edge out his great rival Henrik Kristoffersen to take the first slalom gold of the season in Levi.

Marcel Hirscher of Austria in action during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Slalom on November 18, 2018 in Levi Finland

Image credit: Getty Images

Leading from the first run the pressure was on Hirscher following a fantastic second run from Kristoffersen.

Watch the Winter Sports season live on Eurosport and the Eurosport Player

The talented young Norweigian blew Olympic leader Andre Myhrer's time to pieces to finish at 1:51:13.

Levi

'Marcel Hirscher is back!' - Defending champion too good in Levi

00:01:55

18/11/2018 at 13:34

'Stepping it up a gear!' - Brilliant second run from Kristoffersen earns him silver

However Hirscher was more than up to the challenge as he clocked 1:51:04, a fantastic effort from the defending World Cup champion.

Hirscher is one of a number of rides to change skis for the season and he highlighted that when asked after the race what has changed.

Changing the skis, we have new skis for this season and it worked out really good so thanks to Tomic it was really nice to ski down here.

Hirscher, who became a father during the off-season, highlighted how intense his preparations have been for the last two years.

"Last year's summer preparation was very special and this year as well. Last year I was injured with the cast and this year carrying our little son through the living room."

Of course the winner of the Levi race receives a reindeer and this one will be Hirscher's third, although he still hasn't decided on what to call it.

"I'm still thinking about, I can tell you in a few minutes but right now I'm still thinking about it which one I should pick out."

Later on it appeared as if he had gone with the name "Mr Snow."

Frenchmen Victor Muffat-Jeandet and Clement Noel were setting quick times on the way down and were set to beat Myhrer but they both came off at the same point close to the bottom to cause them to drop down the standings.

And it simply wasn't to be for Great Britain's Dave Ryding as he ended in 12th.

Not to be for Ryding after second run

RUN 1 REPORT

Seven-time World Cup champion Marcel Hirscher kicked off the new slalom season in style with a fantastic opening run in Levi.

Hirscher, the third rider through the gates, set a blistering pace of 54.27 that few were able to match.

'Will anybody be able to better that?' - Hirscher sets pace with blistering opening run

Watch the WInter Sports season live on Eurosport and the Eurosport Player

Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, last year’s runner-up, came the closest as he was 0:07 off the Austrian maestro as the pair renew their rivalry for another season.