His victory was a close one, with the top four separated by less than two tenths, as he held on to keep at bay the emerging two Austrians - Manuel Feller and Marco Schwarz - who both made the podium too.

Feller posted the second fastest time on the second run to move into the silver medal position, finishing just 0.08 seconds off of the Swiss skier.

Schwarz took bronze just 0.12 behind Zenhäusern, having been quicker than the winner on the second run.

Italy's Alex Vinatzer, who led the field by a large margin following the first run, was more than a second slower than Feller on the second, ruining any chance of making the podium.

The 21-year-old has made the World Cup podium once so far in his career, winning bronze in Zagreb in January, but looked close to winning his first race before a sub-par second run dropped him to fourth, 0.19 behind the lead.

France's Victor Muffat-Jeandet rounded off the top five with two consistent runs, closely followed by Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen in sixth.

Many top names failed to finish including yesterday's silver medallist in the giant slalom, Atle Lie McGrath of Norway.

Zenhäusern's win puts him top of the World Cup slalom standings with the race being the first this season in the discipline.

Tomorrow, a one-day men's slalom FIS Alpine Ski World Cup event is set to take place in Madonna di Campiglio in Italy.