SKIING: Feller a winner on home snow in Kitzbuehel slalom

KITZBUEHEL, Austria — Austrian skier Manuel Feller claimed victory in his home Kitzbuehel slalom on Sunday, marking his first World Cup podium finish of the Alpine ski season.

The 33-year-old Feller surged ahead in the second run to overtake Switzerland’s Loic Meillard, who had been leading after the first leg. Feller finished 0.35 seconds faster overall, despite being only fourth fastest in the opening run. This win is Feller’s seventh career World Cup victory.

Germany’s Linus Strasser completed the podium with a third-place finish.

Norwegian-born Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who was in 11th place after the first run, delivered a strong performance in the second leg and recorded the second-fastest time, finishing in fourth place.

Pinheiro Braathen now leads the slalom standings with a 26-point advantage over France’s Clement Noel. Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath slipped to third after failing to finish the first run on Sunday.

The men’s World Cup slalom season continues with one final race in Schladming before the Milano Cortina Olympics next month.

-Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London; Editing by Alexandra Hudson/Reuters