Benjamin Raich pulled off the big win in the giant slalom on Saturday, in Adelboden, Switzerland.

The Austrian had managed the best time in the first run, and managed to repeat hi performance in the final run with a combined time of 2:24.95.

Massimiliano Blardone picked up a fantastic second, with a total time of 2:25.19. The Italian had also finished the first run second, but was unable to really challenge Raich for the top spot, finishing a quarter of a second slower.

Kjetil Jansrud came third with a time of 2:25.67. The result was the Norweigian's first on the podium, although he had come close in the giant slalom in Beaver Creek earlier in the year, when he finished fourth.

Saturday's giant slalom was the last race of the discipline before the World Championships scheduled for the end of January in Val d'Isere. In view of the upcoming competition, different athletes had chosen different approaches to Saturday's race.

Certain skiers decided to push themselves to their limits to try in an attempt to earn a spot in their national team, whilst others, already sure of their place in the national teams, decided not to risk injury.

Sandro Viletta was the first to give the home fans hope that the bad morning for the Swiss was over when he set a combined time of 2:25.87, to take the lead early in the final run.

The twenty-three year old Swiss skier's only previous result in the World Cup giant slalom was a 23rd finish back in 2007. On Saturday he finished fourth.

Cyprien Richard came fifth, with a time of 2:26.05, his second best result to date. In fact the young Frenchman had only finished in the top ten on two occasions before Adelboden.

Daniel Albrecht's poor morning continued, when he failed to post a competitive time, finishing in 2:27.51 minutes. The Swiss skier risked crashing into the safety net as he hit a little track in the slope.

Didier Cuche also failed to record a competitive time, finishing in 2:26.39 minutes, almost three quarters of a second behind the race leader.

Carlo Janka was another of the top Swiss skiers to have a poor day in Adelboden, when he finished outside the top 15, with a time of 2:26.90.

Jean-Baptise Grange was another skier to have a bad day, as he also finished outside the top 15, with a time of 2:26.72.

Benjamin Raich has now moved to top spot in the overall rankings, 55 points ahead of second place Jean-Baptiste Grange. Massimiliano Blardone has now moved into the top 20, on 224 points, after his second place finish on Saturday. Whilst Kjetil Jansrud has moved up to 24th with 160 points, after his first career podium.

The second day of races in Adelboden sees the slalom programmed to start at 10:15 on Sunday, followed by the final run at 13:15.

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