German skier Felix Neureuther regained the lead in the slalom World Cup standings, leapfrogging Marcel Hirscher by winning Saturday's race at Wengen as the latter failed to finish the first leg.
Neureuther, who was only fifth fastest on the first leg, posted a combined time of 1min 46.93sec to edge out Italian Stefano Gross, who won last weekend's slalom in Adelboden, by 22-hundredths of a second with Norwegian Henrik Kristofferson third, 44-hundredths adrift.
Neureuther, who leads Hirscher by 44 points after six races, was ecstatic at his victory.
"When one is a child one dreams of two races that one wants to win, Wengen and Kizbuehel," said the 30-year-old.
"To win here for the second time is very special. When I won here the first time it was enormous for me, but today's win was not easy."
Sweden's Mattias Hargin failed to replicate his superb first leg performance, which saw him record the fastest time, as he could finish only sixth overall.
Three-time defending overall World Cup champion Hirscher professed not to be too disappointed at failing to finish the first leg.
The 25-year-old Austrian - who leads this season's overall World Cup series - was over a second quicker than the previous skiers when he skied out.
"I am not very upset by failing to finish," said Hirscher.
"It is better to have built up a good head of steam rather than be in fifth or sixth position going into the second leg with a big gap to make up.
"I am happy with both my skiing and my speed."
Hirscher, who won Friday's giant slalom recording his sixth victory of the season, said blame could be apportioned in equal measure for his exit on a course which has been affected by non stop snowfall since Friday evening.
"It is 50 per cent due to the conditions and 50% my fault," said Hirscher.
Aside from retaining his overall title Hirscher's other goal this season is to win a title at the World Alpine Ski Championships which run from February 2 to 15 in Vail, Colorado.
The action wraps up in Wengen on Sunday with the downhill, which was moved from Saturday earlier in the week over fears that heavy snow could see it cancelled altogether.
Share
