ALPINE SKI. KITZBUHEL, Austria -- Cristian Deville took home his first career victory today in the men's slalom as controversy overshadowed the winner on this cloudy, wet day on the famed Ganslern course.

Christian Deville of Italy takes 1st place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Slalom on January 22, 2012 in Kitzbuehel, Austria. (January 21, 2012 - Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

Sitting in fourth position after the first run, Deville was behind Matt by 0.73 seconds. On a degrading slalom course due to warm temperatures and rain, he skied fast and smooth, clocking 1 minute 39.19 seconds over the two-run time, to win by nearly the same differential—0.72 ahead of second place Matt, and 0.78 ahead of third place Ivica Kostelic, who also secured his third consecutive combined win in Kitzbuhel.

Ivica Kostelic of Croatia takes 3rd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Slalom on January 22, 2012 in Kitzbuehel, Austria. (January 21, 2012 - Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

“It was a clean second run,” said Deville, who couldn't stop smiling, “but I didn't expect to make up so much time.”

The 31-year-old slalom specialist joins the ranks of Piero Gros and Alberto Tomba, the only Italians to win the Kitzbuhel slalom. Deville earned his first podiums this season - Beaver Creek (second) and Flachau (third) - but first place had evaded him until now.

Twelve years ago, Mario Matt won the slalom here, but he couldn't repeat that feat today. He did however say he was happy with his first podium of the season.

Mario Matt of Austria competes to take second place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Slalom on January 22, 2012 in Kitzbuehel, Austria. (January 21, 2012 - Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

"The second run was very bumpy, with lots of holes” he said. “It was hard to ski and Cristian had a great run. I'm a little bit disappointed not winning, but I'm pleased with second place.”

Snow conditions this weekend presented major problems for the course crews and organizers as rain turned to heavy snow then rain again through the course of the weekend. The super G was canceled on Friday, and though the downhill was held on Saturday, it began at the lowest possible start at Alte Schneise.

Christian Deville of Italy takes 1st place, Mario Matt of Austria takes 2nd place, Ivica Kostelic of Croatia takes 3rd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Slalom on January 22, 2012 in Kitzbuehel, Austria. (January 21, 2012 - Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

“It's the type of day you really need to fight hard to get a result,” said Canada's Brad Spence, who placed 14th in the slalom. “This is probably one of the toughest hills on a good day and they you factor in the tough snow conditions and all that stuff and it doesn't make it any easier. I think the biggest problem is the inconsistency of the snow. At one place it can be ice and then you take a turn and there is a big hole.”

Even for Kostelic, it was a challenge dealing with a course “battered with rain.” But he was pleased with his results today especially after crashing in downhill training this week and “slightly” injuring his ankle. “I am very satisfied with my weekend, it was a tough few days,” he said.

However, the defending Overall World Cup Champion was furious about a controversy that emerged this weekend. It surrounded Austria's Marcel Hirscher. According to the head of the Croatian Ski Federation, Hirscher got away with straddling gates in the Zagreb and Adelboden slaloms. At Wengen, he was disqualified for a straddle, which Hirscher claims he didn't know about. At Kitzbuehel, he was disqualified for straddling during his second run - every time he claims it's without his knowledge.

Marcel Hirscher of Austria during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Slalom on January 22, 2012 in Kitzbuehel, Austria. (January 21, 2012 - Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

The Zagreb straddle rumor was confirmed before the slalom race today by Austrian team chief Mathias Berthold, who reviewed the tapes five times in slow-motion. He told Reuters that second place to Hirscher in that race, Felix Neureuther, also straddled.

When Kostelic heard that Hirscher had in fact missed the gate in Zagreb, and didn't admit it, he was angry. "It struck me deeply," he said with great pride, as the Zagreb slalom is in his home country and he could have won as he placed third. "I was very disappointed and it was very motivating for me [today]."

Ivica Kostelic of Croatia takes 3rd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Slalom on January 22, 2012 in Kitzbuehel, Austria. (January 21, 2012 - Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

The defending Overall World Cup Champion, who is very outspoken about knowing and respecting the sport and history, said: "Sport means something. It has basic values which you always like to point out. When these basic values are walked over, I personally don't forget these. It's a pretty unclean picture."

Kostelic hinted to press that after the experience Hirscher has in slalom, knowing the difference between straddling and not should be obvious. Last week, after the Wengen race in which Hirscher was disqualified, he claimed it's not so easy to distinguish the difference.

FIS rules state that there are 15 minutes to contest a result, but another rule states that a complaint can be put forward up to 30 days after the race if there is "clear evidence" of an offence. Hirscher did tell press that he agrees something needs to be done to create a fair playing field, and supports any changes to gate rules determined by FIS.

THE COMBINED

Kostelic won the only traditional combined on the World Cup schedule by 4.55 seconds over Beat Feuz. Silvan Zurbriggen was third, Adrien Theaux fourth, and Ted Ligety fifth.

Ivica Kostelic of Croatia takes 1st place, Beat Feuz of Switzerland takes 2nd place, Silvan Zurbriggen of Switzerland takes 3rd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Combined on January 22, 2012 in Kitzbuehel, Austria. (January 21, 2012 - Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

"Classic combined is a tradition of alpine skiing," Kostelic said. "It's more valuable to me than super combined because you have to ski an entire downhill and both slaloms. Classic combined is purer."

Kostelic now leads the overall standings with 855 points over Hirscher's 725.

By Vanessa Pierce
FISalpine.com
Sunday 22 January 2012

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