Alpine skiing-Hirscher takes early slalom lead as Kristoffersen struggles

Austrian favourite Marcel Hirscher looked on course for a seventh world title as he set the fastest time in the first run of the men's slalom in Are on Sunday. Hirscher, the seven-time overall World Cup champion, carved through the gates to take a 0.56 seconds lead over Frenchman Alexis Pinturault.

Recovering from a cold he picked up midweek, Hirscher is chasing a record-equalling seventh men's gold at the world championships which will draw him level with compatriot Toni Sailer. Another Austrian, Marco Schwarz, finished 1.22 seconds behind to take third place at halfway stage.

Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen, who beat Hirscher to the giant slalom gold on Friday, failed to impress as he finished sixth, 1.70 seconds off the pace. The second run begins at 1330 GMT. (Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)