Austrian great Hirscher claims elusive first gold medal

Marcel Hirscher, the greatest skier of his generation, ended his long wait for an Olympic gold medal when the Austrian claimed top spot in the men’s combined event after a blistering slalom run yesterday.

Hirscher, who has won the last six overall World Cup titles and is poised to claim a seventh, climbed from an unexpectedly high 12th place after the downhill segment at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre to pip France’s Alexis Pinturault by 0.23 seconds.

The Austrian’s previous best in the Olympics was a silver medal in slalom at Sochi four years ago.

“I killed it. It is something really special and unexpected. I’m super happy that this stupid question mark over my career has been removed,” Hirscher told reporters.

The Austrian was forced to hold back his joy for a few moments after teammate Matthias Mayer, who was within touching distance, made a strong start to his slalom but forked a gate and fell.

The 28-year-old Hirscher, who has said this would be his last Olympics, then sprinted out into the finishing area to celebrate his triumph.

Victor Muffat-Jeandet completed a good day for French skiers by claiming the bronze medal behind compatriot Pinturault in an event that brings together a downhill stage and then a slalom section to test the allround skills of competitors.

Hirscher has won 10 World Cup races in slalom and giant slalom this season leaving Pinturault delighted to have just finished so close to the winner.

“I’m really, really happy. Marcel has been unbeatable… so I really had to try hard and at least it was only two tenths. I can only be happy and proud,” he said.

Muffat-Jeandet said he had paid the price for a lacklustre downhill effort, where he finished 20th, more than a second behind Hirscher.