The China Mail - Local hero Pinturault revels in combined gold on home snow

Pinturault is a child of Courchevel, his parents owning two upmarket hotels in the swanky French resort built by his grandfather.

And the crowds turned out en masse to watch the 31-year-old local hero. He did not disappoint as he bagged a second world combined title after previously winning in 2019.

"It was really special, a really great atmosphere. It feels very special to be here for me," Pinturault said.

A packed stand around the finish area was awash with his fans, cowbells ringing and French flags waving.

"To share this with the French people and the Courchevel people is something very special for me," he added.

Pinturault belied his stuttering World Cup season -- a third in the Beaver Creek super-G his only podium -- as he set the fastest time in the combined's opening super-G before nailing a solid slalom run for victory.

"I knew it would be difficult to make a great race and be on the podium because if you look back at my races in the World Cup this season they haven't been good so it would already be a good achievement if I got a medal," he said.

"I've had these world championships in my head since a really long time and I really wanted to give my best at this time.

"I wanted to give my best but there is a huge difference between giving the best and being able to be on the podium."

- Costly 'banana' -

It was nip-and-tuck with defending world champion Marco Schwarz right until the end in a dramatic day's racing.

The Austrian had led Pinturault coming down the slalom, but a mistake just metres from the line saw him lose valuable time and he had to be happy with silver, just 0.10 seconds off the Frenchman's pace.

"I had a good and strong slalom, but Marco somehow struggled in the second part where it was more tricky," Pinturault said.

Schwarz described his mistake as a "banana".

"The little mistake before the finish line... is part of the game. I'm happy with second place," he said.

"I'm really happy for Alexis to get the gold medal at home. He's a really good sportsman. Winning the gold medal at home, that's pretty amazing, congratulations to him."

Raphael Haaser claimed bronze for Austria, just a day after his sister Ricarda had done the same in the women's combined.

But he admitted to have been out doing super-G training when Ricarda was racing instead of watching her on the television.

"I'm super happy for my sister, it's something that pushed me today," he said.

J.Thompson--ThChM