The discipline changed, but the leader is the same. As yesterday in the Giant Slalom, Fritz Dopfer is the fastest after the first slalom run at the Yuzawa Naeba Audi FIS Ski World Cup.

The German athlete, who has 9 World Cup podiums but no wins so far, skied a clean and strong run.

"Like yesterday it was better to start with a low bib today," said Dopfer, "and I fully used it to my advantage. In some sections I could feel the upswing from the course and I used it to built up speed. However, the time gaps behind be are smaller than yesterday, so I'll have to push really hard in the second run."

Two Swedes could keep up with Dopfer's pace: Kitzbuehel Slalom winner from 2015 Mattias Hargin only lost +0.02 on Dopfer and will be in pole position to catch the German in the second run, and Slalom globe winner 2012 André Myhrer is +0.22 behind.

Henrik Kristoffersen finished 8th with +0.79 but he is still in the battle for a spot on the podium. Marcel Hirscher got DSQ after straddling a gate in the upper part.

Second run starts at 13.00 LOC / 05.00 CET.

Source: fis-ski.com