ALPINE SKI. It was a perfect way to kick off the Audi FIS World Cup season: a tight race, a great winner, an amazing crowd and blue sky to enhance it all.

Ted Ligety of USA in action during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Giant Slalom on October 25, 2015 in Soelden, Austria. (Photo by Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom)

The expected battle between Ligety and Hirscher took place yet again (they won together 22 out of the 26 last giant slaloms). In the end and for the 4th time, Ted Ligety is the winner of the opening giant slalom in Sölden. "I guess I found the right combination today," he said. "I love it here. It's an awesome race, a tough hill, and I love that excitation you feel at the first race of the season."

Ted Ligety of USA in action during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Giant Slalom on October 25, 2015 in Soelden, Austria. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom)

Ted Ligety of USA takes 1st place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Giant Slalom on October 25, 2015 in Soelden, Austria. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom)

Ligety was 0.15 ahead of France's Thomas Fanara, who didn't lose his concentration and confirmed his flawless performance in the first run. The GS specialist has been in the Top 5 of the GS standings for the past 3 years, but he has rarely been so close to his first World Cup win. "It feels good to be on the podium. It's never easy to be fast in the first race of the season, you never really know about your shape. It helps to have a strong French team, so we have good references in training."

Ted Ligety of USA celebrates during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Giant Slalom on October 25, 2015 in Soelden, Austria. (Photo by Michel Cottin/Agence Zoom)

Marcel Hirscher ended up in 3rd place, 0.17 seconds off the pace. The Austrian super star could count on the support of his home crowd. "I'm super happy with this 3rd place because the preparation has been totally weird this year," he commented. "Sometimes I skied really good and was half a second ahead of the others Austrian guys, sometimes I was two seconds behind."

Marcel Hirscher of Austria in action during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Giant Slalom on October 25, 2015 in Soelden, Austria. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom)

Marcel Hirscher of Austria in action during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Giant Slalom on October 25, 2015 in Soelden, Austria. (Photo by Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom)

With this first race of the season, the four-time defending World Cup winner got the confirmation that he will be fast this season too. Hirscher also used the opportunity to congratulate his team-mate Ronald Leitinger, who made an incredible jump forward in the 2nd run and ended up 6th with bib number 39.

Ted Ligety of USA takes 1st place, Thomas Fanara of France takes 2nd place, Marcel Hirscher of Austria takes 3rd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's Giant Slalom on October 25, 2015 in Soelden, Austria. (Photo by Michel Cottin/Agence Zoom)

Sölden again offered an outstanding World Cup Opening, with more than 31'500 spectators over the week-end, a perfectly prepared race slope coupled with a motivated and skilled organising committee. The Tyroler venue opened the season in the best possible way.

FIS news
25 October 2015 15:56