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Svindal wins first World Cup giant slalom of season

Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal won the men's opening World Cup giant slalom ahead of American Ted Ligety and Kalle Palander of Finland in Solden, Austria, yesterday.

The defending giant slalom champion finished in 2 minutes 17.87 seconds, 0.32 seconds in front of Ligety with Palander .39 seconds adrift.

Svindal, 24 endured a poor first run which left him struggling in sixth place behind Ligety and Palander.

However on the second run, after an impressive display of power and technique, he posted the fastest time and collected his eighth world title.

"I was obviously disappointed by my first run, having made two errors on the high section. I hoped to win a couple of places but to win it!", an excited Svindal said.

The Norwegian won the giant slalom in last year's World Cup in Lenzerheide in Switzerland, which proved crucial to him winning the overall World Cup title, the crystal globe.

Svindal holds the globe, the giant slalom and the combined titles and picked up the downhill and giant slalom titles at the World Championships at Are in Sweden.
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