Pinturault leads GS after 1st run, eyes World Cup lead

HINTERSTODER, Austria (AP) — Alexis Pinturault built a big lead in the opening run of a men’s World Cup giant slalom on Monday as the French skier targets the lead in the overall standings.

Pinturault could go to the top of the standings if he wins the race and the current leader, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, doesn’t finish better than third. The Norwegian was 1.88 seconds off the lead and posted the ninth-fastest time in the first run.

Taking the lead in the overall standings could be essential with the remainder of the World Cup season in doubt because of possible travel restrictions regarding the spread of the virus in Europe.

The men’s World Cup has further stops scheduled in Norway and Slovenia ahead of the March 16-22 finals in Italy.

Pinturault carved out a lead of 0.90 seconds over Filip Zubcic of Croatia, who won the previous GS in Naeba, Japan, in February. Zan Kranjec of Slovenia, who leads the discipline standings, was third with 1.12 to make up in the second run.

Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway was 1.42 behind in sixth.

Pinturault, won dominated an Alpine combined event Sunday, won two giant slaloms on consecutive days when the World Cup last visited the Austrian resort four years ago.

Monday’s race replaced a GS that was canceled in Val d’Isere, France, in December.