Marcel Hirscher leads 1st run of WCup giant slalom

ADELBODEN, Switzerland (AP) — Marcel Hirscher and Ted Ligety dominated the first run of a World Cup giant slalom Saturday, continuing their duel for the season discipline title.

Hirscher, the defending overall World Cup champion from Austria, led by 0.17 seconds over his American rival after clocking 1 minute, 14.22 seconds on the sun-bathed Kuonisbaergli course.

Third-place Thomas Fanara of France trailed Hirscher by 1.06. Overall standings leader Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway was 1.25 back in fourth.

Ligety, who has won three of four GS races this season, recovered well after going wide at the top of the steep final slope.

Hirscher and Ligety have finished on the podium in each GS event this season.

Still, Adelboden is tough for first-run leaders in fading afternoon light as the sun dips behind the mountains.