Von Grünigen wins season ender

Michael von Grünigen won the season's last giant slalom race Keystone

Switzerland's Michael von Grünigen claimed his first victory of the season on the last day of the season, by winning the men's giant slalom race in Flachau.

Von Grünigen took first place on Sunday in 2’41″12, just ahead of Austrian favorites Benjamin Raich (2’41″25) and Stephan Eberharter (2’41″69). The 33-year-old, who was the 2001 World Champion, made up for his disappointment at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Fellow Swiss Didier Cuche finished in a disappointing sixth place in a time of 2’42″04, just ahead of his other teammate, Didier Defago. Despite finishing second in the first leg, Cuche was unable to exploit his advantage.

“There were two races I wanted to win this season, and the giant slalom was one of them, but I didn’t make it,” Cuche lamented after the race.

With Sunday’s result, Cuche waved goodbye to the giant slalom title, which was grabbed by France’s Frédéric Covili, who finished fifth. Austria’s Benjamin Raich and teammate Stephan Eberharter took second and third place respectively in the discipline’s overall standings.

Cuche third overall

Nevertheless, Cuche had something to smile about after finishing third in the men’s overall World Cup standings – a feat last managed by a Swiss male skier in 1996.

Cuche also took second place in the Super-G’s overall standings.

swissinfo with agencies