Kristoffersen leads Hirscher by 1 second in World Cup slalom

Kristoffersen leads Hirscher by 1 second in World Cup slalom

Kristoffersen leads Hirscher by 1 second in World Cup slalom

KITZBUEHEL, Austria (AP) - Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway drove a men's World Cup slalom after the opening run Sunday, undermining Marcel Hirscher's five-race winning streak.

Kristoffersen coordinated 55.87 seconds on the Ganslern course to lead Michael Matt of Austria by 0.10, while Hirscher was 1.05 behind in third. Fourth-put Daniel Yule of Switzerland had 1.29 to make up in the last run.

"It's just a single tenth in front of Michi," Kristoffersen said. "It was OK, a pleasant run. It's turning somewhat, truly troublesome, however it's not a quick course. You need to push."

Kristoffersen set a World Cup record this season by getting platform in every one of the six slaloms without winning a race. He has been after his fifteenth profession slalom triumph since triumphing in Schladming, Austria, a year back.

Proceeding with their slalom competition from past seasons into one month from now's Pyeongchang Olympics, Kristoffersen was sprinter up to Hirscher in five races this season, including three mammoth slaloms.

On Sunday, numerous racers battled in the extreme conditions after overnight snowfall. On a troublesome course set by his mentor Jani Hladnik, Russia's Alexander Khoroshilov straddled an entryway and bombed in his offer to enhance his slalom positioning in front of the Olympics.

England's Dave Ryding, who completed sprinter up to Hirscher a year ago, trailed Kristoffersen by 2.89 seconds in 25th.

With a win on Sunday, Hirscher would coordinate Hermann Maier's Austrian record of 54 World Cup triumphs. Just Swedish champion Ingemar Stenmark (86) won more races.

A six straight win would leave the Austrian still three triumphs shy of the best characteristic of nine continuous slalom wins, set by Italian incredible Alberto Tomba in 1995.

Driving the standings by 174 focuses over Kristoffersen, Hirscher was on course for an exceptional seventh general title.