. world ski news : Sun sets on 2015/16 men's season with Myhrer win - 20 March 2016 - 16:33
ALPINE SKI. The 2015/16 Audi FIS men’s World Cup season came to a close today with the last slalom race of the season. Earning bragging rights on the last day of action was Andre Myhrer (SWE), who won by 0.14 seconds against Marcel Hirscher.
While the day’s win went to Myhrer, the season slalom title was already decided as Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen formally picked up the discipline globe. Kristoffersen finished well out of podium range today in 19th place as he was battling the flu the entire weekend.
"I'm really happy that I managed to wrap the globe up early," said Kristoffersen. "It was tough being sick, laying in bed for two days. My battery is just flat so it was really lucky that everything was already decided. It's been an unbelievable season this year. I've taken a lot of steps - December and January was especially amazing."
Marcel Hirscher clinched the 2015/16 Overall Season title already in Kranjska Gora and today had the chance to formally pick up his amazing fifth consecutive big crystal globe.
Another title that was up for grabs kept things tense during the slalom. The Nations Team Cup came down to the wire as Austria was in danger to lose the cup for the first time since 1992 with the French still just over 80 points behind entering the day. Once again, it was Hirscher who saved the day as his second-place performance made it impossible for the French to gain enough ground, keeping the Cup on Austrian soli for another season.
Switzerland’s Daniel Yule led the slalom after the first run by a very slim 0.01 margin over Austria’s Marco Schwarz. Initially, it was thought Schwarz had missed a gate and was disqualified, but upon further video review, it was determined he had skied a clean run. Sebastian Foss Solevaag sat just 0.04 seconds behind in the competitive first run.
But only Foss-Solevaag made it to the podium after the second run as he ended in third place behind the strong second runs of Myhrer and Hisrcher. For Myhrer, the victory was his only of the season and just the fourth podium of the year for Sweden’s tech specialist. Meanwhile Hirscher celebrated his amazing 20th podium finish of the season just before heading up on the stage to collect his crystal globe for the Overall Season title.
"It's an unbelievable way to end the season," said Myhrer after his first win since 2012. "The season was a struggle until Japan and to end it this way is great for me and the people who worked with me all winter."
Hirscher finished the season slalom standings in second place behind Kristoffersen, while German Felix Neureuther ended the season in third place in the discipline.
FIS alpine
20 March 2016 11:01