Zan Kranjec became the first Slovenian skier to win a men's World Cup giant slalom in Austria on Wednesday, after posting a very fast final run.
The race replaced the season-opening giant slalom, which was canceled because of bad weather in Soelden in October.
Seven-time overall champion Marcel Hirscher who has only finished sixth, ending the Austrian's streak of 18 consecutive giant slalom races where he finished on the podium.
Loic Meillard of Switzerland takes 2nd place, Zan Kranjec of Slovenia takes 1st place, Mathieu Faivre of France takes 3rd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Giant Slalom, December 19, 2018. /VCG Photo
For 28-year-old Kranjec, his previous best result was third place in the Alta Badia giant slalom a year ago. The Slovenian was a half-second off the lead after the opening run but picked up the pace in his final run to set the fastest time.
Karnjec got some help when first run leader Matts Olsson failed to complete his run while second place Manuel Feller loses his left ski in a turn and slides off the course.
That means Kranjec won the first men's World Cup giant Slalom for Slovenia, and less than two hours after his countrywoman Ilka Stubec clinched a women's super-G in Italy.