Alexis Pinturault won the inaugural Alpine Ski World Cup in Sölden. At the end of the Giant Slalom, the Frenchman took a lead of 0.54 seconds over second-placed Mathieu Faivre. Already before the second round Pinturault had been in the lead, he increased his lead of 0,02 seconds in the second race. It's his 21st World Cup victory. Third was Slovenian Zan Kranjec (+0.63 seconds).
Pinturault's success does not come as a surprise. Following the resignation of eight-time overall World Cup winner Marcel Hirscher, the 28-year-old is considered one of the favorites for the World Cup victory. Henrik Kristoffersen is actually his worst competitor for the big crystal ball. But the Norwegian was in Sölden after two mixed runs only 18th US veteran Ted Ligety finished behind his compatriot Tommy Ford surprising fifth place.
The German starters missed the top ten clearly. Stefan Luitz, 13th after the first run, had to settle for sixth with 1.83 seconds back. Alexander Schmid dropped from 14th to 27th place (+3.00).
The women had a surprise the day before: The only 17-year-old New Zealander Alice Robinson won the giant slalom with 0.06 seconds ahead of Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin from the United States.