Arvid Auner ‘so happy’ after winning first parallel giant slalom World Cup gold medal in Poland

Austria’s Arvid Auner revelled in winning parallel giant slalom gold at Krynica, his maiden World Cup medal in the discipline.

The 27-year-old has won two silver medals in slalom but broke into the top three for the first time in giant slalom with victory in Poland.

Auner’s big final rival Mauricio Bormolini of Italy failed to complete the course, handing the Austrian gold.

Auner said: “It was unbelievable to ride here, it was bumpy, it was difficult, but I made my way through the difficult stage and I knew if I could put pressure on the other competitor, I had a chance.

“I let go of my board on the downhill part and I knew it would be such a close finish. I’m so happy.”

Auner’s compatriot Alexander Payer took bronze by beating Mirko Felicetti in the small final.

Auner is the third Austrian man to win a World Cup parallel giant slalom this season, succeeding Benjamin Karl and Andreas Prommegger.

“I’m so glad that I’m in the Austrian team. We’ve been the best team over the season and if you’re in this team, you know you can win,” he said. “I’ve been getting into quarter-finals all season but the next step was the podium. My goal was to make a podium this season in GS and now it happened.”

On the women’s side, Tsubaki Miki of Japan took gold ahead of Daniela Ulbing of Austria, with Swiss Ladina Jenny capturing bronze.