Austrian skier Marcel Hirscher notched up his seventh win of the season to reclaim the lead in the men’s World Cup giant slalom on Saturday.

His second consecutive giant slalom win after Adelboben, Italy in January allows the Austrian to reclaim the overall World Cup lead in the discipline ahead of American Ted Ligety.

Hircher finished 1.39sec ahead of Italy’s Massimiliano Blardone with fellow Austrian Marcel Mathis at 1.46sec.

“I’m very lucky to be on the top of the podium because I was nearly on my way out during the first run,” said Hirscher.

“I’m always at 110percent, I don’t know how to give 90percent, and I’ll do the same thing tomorrow.”

World champion Ligety had led after the first run ahead of Hirscher but the American finished 27th after losing his balance in the second run.

Hirscher leads Ligety by 81 points in the giant slalom standings.

“Today I gave myself a small opporunity to win the giant slalom globe,” said the Austrian.

Hirscher will be bidding during Sunday’s slalom to close the gap on overall World Cup leader Ivica Kostelic of Croatia, who underwent a knee operation during the week, and Swiss Beat Feuz, also not competing.

It was a first podium spot for 20-year-old Mathis, whose father works for US star Bode Miller with sports equipment company Head, and prepared his son’s skis.

“My dad was very emotional,” admitted Mathis.