Hirscher closes on giant slalom globe

Peter Hanson

Hirscher closes on giant slalom globe image

Marcel Hirscher heads to Garmisch-Partenkirchen full in the knowledge he could leave Germany as the 2014-15 giant slalom champion.

The Austrian has dominated the discipline in the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup this season, winning four of the five races.

With a commanding 138-point lead over second-placed Ted Ligety to his name, another victory on the German slopes could prove enough to collect a second career globe in the giant slalom after his triumph in 2012.

To do so he must extend his lead over defending giant slalom champion Ligety to over 200 points, as that would give him an unassailable gap over the American with just two races remaining.

Hirscher has proven his ability to compete in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the past having placed second the last time the venue held a giant slalom race in February 2013.

Should he top the podium on this occasion Hirscher would become the first man since Ligety in 2013 to win four straight giant slalom races.

Ligety's chances of winning a sixth giant slalom globe are diminishing with each race.

The 30-year-old has been the dominant force in the discipline having topped the standings in five of the past seven seasons and each of the last two.

Indeed, 23 of his 24 career World Cup victories have come in giant slalom, but injury issues have hindered his season and his solitary win this term came at Beaver Creek in December.

Ligety has finished third on his past two trips to Garmisch and he will know that realistically only a victory can keep alive his hopes.

Alexis Pinturault sits third in the giant slalom standings and his consistency has been rewarded by three podium finishes in the discipline this term.

The Frenchman has fond memories of Garmisch-Partenkirchen having achieved his solitary career giant slalom victory there in 2013.

Fritz Dopfer is likely to provide the best home challenge, while the likes of Thomas Fanara and Benjamin Raich will also hope to trouble the podium.

Peter Hanson