Reinfried Herbst of Austria wins slalom World Cup title; Neureuther takes last race

Reinfried Herbst wins slalom World Cup title

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany — Reinfried Herbst gave Austria its only men’s title of the season when he clinched the slalom crystal globe in the final race Saturday.

Felix Neureuther delighted his hometown crowd by winning the race for his second career victory after Kitzbuehel, Austria.

First-run leader Manfred Pranger of Austria finished second, and Olympic bronze medalist Andre Myhrer of Sweden was third.

Herbst won the title ahead of Julien Lizeroux of France, who finished fourth. Herbst was only ninth but he had a 43-point lead ahead of the race and took the title with 534 points. Lizeroux finished at 512. The points lead changed hands several times as later starters moved up the standings.

“My nerves were shattered at the end,” Herbst said.

“I have to give a very, very big thanks to Felix, his victory win helped me win the title. I was lucky today but if you look over the season I think I deserved it with four wins,” the 31-year-old Austrian said.

“It was an important victory for the team,” Herbst said.

The Austrian men have struggled throughout the season and went without any medals at the Vancouver Olympics. They also failed to win a downhill race.

Neureuther is the son of former German stars Rosi Mittermeier and Christian Neureuther, who won a slalom race on the same hill 36 years ago.

“I simply felt very well today. The season didn’t go the way I wanted but to end it like this is a dream,” Neureuther said.

Olympic champion Giuliano Razzoli of Italy failed to finish the first run. Ted Ligety of the United States, who clinched the giant slalom title Friday, clipped the first gate of the second run and dropped out.

Neureuther was fifth after the first run but jumped to the top by posting the fastest second heat. He finished in a combined time of one minute, 43.63. Pranger was .29 seconds behind and Myhrer trailed .35.