LEVI, Finland: Austria’s Marcel Hirscher won Sunday’s men’s slalom at Levi, Finland to land the opening race of the World Cup season in emphatic style.

Hirscher, favorite in the absence of Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen in a sponsorship spat, timed a searing 1min 44.67sec over the two runs to see off compatriot Michael Matt by 1.30sec and Italy’s Manfred Moelgg by 1.31.

Kristoffersen won at the venue last season — a point not lost on Hirscher, targeting a sixth straight overall crown, as he noted that “the quickest from last season wasn’t here.”

Race conditions were tough with sub-zero temperatures and a thick mist hanging over the course, but Hirscher shrugged them off to lead compatriot Marco Schwarz on the opening run.

He then consolidated his advantage with some risk-taking on the second, even after Schwarz had fallen before him on his final run.

Hirscher moves above Frenchman Alexis Pinturault at the head of the overall season standings, the latter only managing 11th spot after a first run which saw him stand an interim 24th.

The Austrian’s 40th World Cup race win takes the 27-year-old into the top-five all-time alongside Swiss Pirmin Zurbriggen.