Hirscher storms to FIS World Cup giant slalom win

Marcel Hirscher claimed back-to-back victories at Beaver Creek with two stunning runs in the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup giant slalom on Sunday.

After finishing his first run over a tenth clear of the competition, Hirscher backed it up with a supreme display that saw him claim the title by 0.98 seconds from Victor Muffat-Jeandet.

While some of his rivals struggled to come to terms with the piste in Colorado, Hirscher had no such problems, adding the giant slalom win to his triumph in Saturday's super-G.

Out early on the first run the defending overall champion laid a marker down in a time of one minute 16.93secs through the 58 gates, with only Stefan Luitz and Andre Myhrer able to get close.

Ted Ligety " who won the race last season " lost his balance in the third sector to end his hopes, while Alexis Pinturault crashed out after catching an edge in a similar place to the American.

Three-time winner already this season " Aksel Lund Svindal " fared no better as he failed to finish, while Kjetil Jansrud was 1.58secs adrift.

Italian Riccardo Tonetti set the initial time to beat after the second run, but once Florian Elsath had dislodged him the lead began to change hands.

Felix Neureuther, Henrik Kristoffersen and Muffat-Jeandet all moved fastest before Hirscher took to the course, but Luitz made a mistake with the finish line in sight to tumble down the rankings.

Hirscher never looked like losing as he blitzed the second course, increasing his lead through every sector before stopping the clock with a combined time of two minutes 32.58secs.

Muffat-Jeandet (+0.98secs) and Kristoffersen (+1.31secs) completed the top three, with Neureuther (+1.49secs) having to settle for fifth.