ADELBODEN, Switzerland (AFP) - Mario Matt led an Austrian 1-2 in the men's slalom here on Sunday to record his ninth career World Cup success and eighth in the discipline.

Mario Matt of Austria passes a gate on his way to setting the fastest time during the first run of a men's alpine ski world cup Special Slalom race , in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan, 6, 2008. (Ap Photo/Armando Trovati)

The reigning world champion in the discipline timed 1min 48.45sec over the two legs to beat home compatriot and World Cup titleholder Benjamin Raich by 0.10sec while Felix Neureuther of Germany was third at 0.14sec.

"It's a great victory because it was achieved despite a bad back," said Matt.

"It's a long-standing spinal problem but I don't have any choice: I have to continue training and racing.

"I've been fast in training since the beginning of the season but I haven't been very lucky up until now. It's the month for the classics and for me this is generally a good month. It's good to start with a win."

Austria's Benjamin Raich slaloms past a pole during the first run of an alpine ski men's World Cup slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Raich's second place allowed him to extend his lead in the overall World Cup standings to 115 points ahead of Swiss Didier Cuche, who does not compete in the slalom.

He also retakes the lead in the slalom standings ahead of Neureuther after four events.

Felix Neureuther of Germany slaloms past a pole on his way to take third place in an alpine ski men's World Cup slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

But his thoughts were more with his fiancee Marlies Schild who won the women's World Cup slalom in the Czech Republic on Sunday.

"It's an important win for Marlies. She had to deal with a few problems recently and I'm really happy for her," said Raich.

"I'm sure that her win helped me achieve a good performance. I was very happy with the first leg and I promised myself to be more aggressive in the second. It wasn't easy with the rain overnight."

He added: "It's good to have an Austrian double after that of the Swiss in yesterday's giant slalom. This rivalry is good for our sport.

"Personally I'm even more satisfied I've retaken the lead in the (slalom) standings. It's a good sign to take the leader's jersey in the slalom at this time."

AFP
Monday, January 7, 2008

Austria's Mario Matt passes a gate on his way to setting the fastest time during the first run of a men's alpine ski world cup Special Slalom race , in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan, 6, 2008. (Ap Photo/Marco Trovati)

Austrian skier Mario Matt has won the men's World Cup slalom race in Adelboden, Switzerland to record his ninth career World Cup success and eighth in the discipline. (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)

Swiss ski racer Marc Berthod clears a gate in the first run of the men's ski world cup slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Keystone, Peter Klaunzer)

First placed Mario Matt of Austria (C) second placed Benjamin Raich of Austria (L) and third placed Felix Neuteuther of Germany (R) pose after the men's Alpine skiing World Cup slalom in Adelboden January 6, 2008. REUTERS/Pascal Lauener (SWITZERLAND)

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