Velez Zuzulova completes Flachau double

Veronika Velez Zuzulova made up further ground on Frida Hansdotter in the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup slalom standings by claiming another victory in Flachau on a superb day for Slovakia.

Velez Zuzulova, the winner of Tuesday's slalom at the same venue, was joined on the podium by compatriot Petra Vlhova, with discipline leader Hansdotter splitting the two Slovaks by claiming second.

France's Nastasia Noens led the way after Friday's opening run in Austria, but was unable to sustain her form and had to settle for fourth.

A combined time of one minute and 49.99 seconds saw Velez Zuzulova finish 0.20 seconds ahead of Hansdotter, who was marginally slower than her rival on each run.

Vlhova (+0.53secs) recorded the third-fastest time in run two to climb from fifth to third, while home favourite Julia Gruenwald enjoyed contrasting fortunes on her way to a 10th-placed finish - following up a dismal first attempt with a time that was only bettered by the winner.

Hansdotter's lead over Velez Zuzulova in the slalom discipline now stands at 85 points, while the Swede has closed to within 39 points of the second-placed Lindsey Vonn in the overall standings, which are headed by Lara Gut.