The world giant slalom champion clocked a combined time of 2min 26.91sec to finish 0.38 seconds ahead of compatriot Eva-Maria Brem and a further 0.08 clear of Maze, who saw her 18-point lead heading into the race overturned.

Fenninger scored 100 points on the day to end the season with a total of 1,553 points in the overall standings, while Maze's 60 points saw her finish 22 points behind.

"There was so much pressure today and it was hard to stay focused," said Fenninger, who led after the first run and managed to hold on to her position.

"I was so nervous before the run.

"When I came through the finish and saw the green light, it was just incredible.

"I am so happy to be standing as the winner today.

"This is what I have worked for during some many years."

Anna Fenninger's victory int the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Méribel also earned her the giant slalom crystal globe ©Getty Images






The victory also secured the discipline's small globe for Fenninger, whose tally of 542 points bettered those of Brem, 436, and the United States's Mikaela Shiffrin, 357, in second and third respectively.

"It's been a perfect season for me," Fenninger added.

"There are so many people behind me who worked for these globes.

"I am very thankful to them."

Meanwhile, Austria's Marcel Hirscher won the men's slalom race to claim the discipline title, having already sealed the overall title after closest rival Kjetil Jansrud decided to withdraw from the event.

The Norwegian knew he would have had to finish fourth place or better and rely on the unlikely scenario of Hirscher not picking up any points to take the overall crown.

After opting not to take an unnecessary risk in a discipline he hardly competes in, Jansrud was pulled off the slalom list yesterday evening.

This secured a fourth overall title for Hirscher, who went on to register a time of 1:33.53 to finish 0.83 seconds ahead of Italy's Giuliano Razzoli and 1.09 seconds clear of Russia's Alexander Khoroshilov. 

Going into the race, Hirscher was 55 points behind leader Felix Neureuther of Germany in the discipline standings.

But victory for the 26-year-old, coupled with a 12th place finish for Neureuther, saw him take the title by a 23-point margin.

Austria's Marcel Hirscher secured his fourth overall World Cup title in Méribel after Kjetil Jansrud's withdrawal from the men's slalom race ©Getty Images




"I was definitely tough situation, I am really sorry for Felix as he was so close to his first globe," said Hirscher, who had overturned a deficit in the final race of last season to deny Neureuther.

"But you know, it's part of our sport.

"I am super happy, because before the race I was in a very unusual position, normally I didn't stand a chance but the victory made it possible and I'm thrilled."

The International Ski Federation World Cup tour is set to recommence in October for the 2015-2016 season. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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