Slovenia's Meta Hrovat third in World Cup giant slalom race

Second place went to Switzerland's Michelle Gisin.

Hrovat has thus secured another World Cup podium after finishing ninth in the first giant slalom race yesterday. The 22-year-old finished third at last year's Golden Fox meet as well.

Only Bassino, who has been unbeatable in giant slalom events this season, was faster than her in the final run, pulling ahead by a mere 0.17 seconds.

"I didn't have high expectations, it turned out much better than I had imagine," Hrovat told Televizija Slovenija.

Her coach Matija Grašič meanwhile described the race as tough. "She gave it all today. I'm happy she was able to show off in the race what she has been displaying in training throughout the season," he said, adding that today's podium finish would likely further boost her performance.

The final run saw four Slovenians after Tina Robnik and Ilka Štuhec decided to drop out of the race due to a minor knee injury and preparations for downhill events, respectively.

Andreja Slokar finished 19th, Neja Dvornik 21st and Ana Bucik ranked 28th, all of them securing points.

This was the ninth time that the Golden Fox competition was held in Kranjska Gora rather than its home town of Maribor, and the fifth time in the last ten years. For the first time in the history of the competition there were no fans awaiting the participants at the finish line.

"Now that there's no spectators, the atmosphere is very different," Hrovat said.