Neureuther nears maiden World Cup title

Matthew Rogerson

Neureuther nears maiden World Cup title image

Slalom standings leader Felix Neureuther could finally ensure what has proved an elusive title in the discipline when he competes in the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup at Kranjska Gora on Sunday.

The German has finished second in the slalom standings in each of the past two years but, with a lead of 66 points over defending champion Marcel Hirscher, victory this weekend could guarantee him top spot.

If Neureuther can record a third slalom triumph of the season, Hirscher will need to finish second to take the contest into the final event in Meribel, France, next week, with the Austrian having secured the giant slalom title on Saturday.

Whether Neurether or Hirscher are crowned slalom winner this season, both will set new FIS landmarks.

Neureuther would become the first German to win a World Cup title since the country's reunification, while Hirscher is bidding to become the first man to prevail at the event for three years running since Ingemar Stenmark's seven-year streak in 1975.

Hirscher sealed his second giant slalom title at Kranjska Gora courtesy of a second-place finish behind Alexis Pinturault.

Hirscher and Neureuther were tied at within 0.61secs of Pinturault following their first runs, with the German telling the official FIS website: "The course is in great shape, it held up really well but it was really fast."

Another German, Fritz Dopfer, could still ensure second place in the slalom standings, while Russia's Alexander Khoroshilov will hope to build on his maiden World Cup success, which came in Schladming on January 27.

No male skier has won back-to-back slalom races since Hirscher achieved the feat with three consecutive victories between December 2012 and January 2013.

While Hirscher's hopes of reeling in Neureuther appear slim, the 26-year-old will remain eager to bolster his hopes of adding the overall title to his giant slalom globe.

He continues to tussle with Norway's Kjetil Jansrud and will lead the Norwegian going into the last full weekend of racing in Meribel.

Matthew Rogerson