Ted Ligety won his third Alpine ski World Cup giant slalom in succession in the discipline's showcase race.

The American, who became the first male skier in 15 years to win the first three giant slaloms of a World Cup, fended off a tough challenge by Frenchmen Cyprien Richard and Thomas Fanara in icy conditions to remain unbeaten this season in his favorite event.
The last man to win the opening three giant slaloms was Swiss Michael von Gruenigen in 1995-96.
Ligety, a popular and exuberant skier from Park City, paid tribute to Richard, who missed his first World Cup victory by 0.14 seconds.
""Cyprien was the best skier today. He made a mistake near the finish but he deserved to win,"" Ligety, the World Cup holder, said.
The 31-year-old Richard, who was fastest in the first leg, was leading the giant slalom opener in Soelden, Austria, in October when it was canceled because of bad weather.
Fanara, 29, earned his first World Cup podium after seasons marred by injury, 0.55 behind Ligety's combined time of two minutes 31.99 seconds.
""A year ago I was in bed after my second successive knee injury,"" Fanara said. ""Just to race was a reward.""
(Source: Reuters)