Italy’s Manfred Moelgg claimed his first victory at an FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in nearly eight years after overcoming difficult weather conditions to take victory in the men's night slalom in Croatia’s capital Zagreb ©Getty Images

Italy’s Manfred Moelgg claimed his first victory at an International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Skiing World Cup in nearly eight years after overcoming difficult weather conditions to take victory in the men's night slalom in Croatia’s capital Zagreb.

Unfazed by strong winds in the second run, Moelgg clocked an overall time of 2min 00.03sec to beat runner-up Felix Neureuther of Germany by 0.72 seconds and third-placed Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway by 0.77 seconds.

The 34-year-old’s previous World Cup win came in February 2009 when he topped a slalom podium in German town Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

His only other career victory also came in a slalom, winning in Slovenian town Kranjska Gora in March 2008.

Moelgg becomes the second-oldest man to win a World Cup slalom after Austria’s Mario Matt, who was 34 days older when he triumphed in French resort Val-d'Isère in December 2013.

Germany's Felix Neureuther finished second in Zagreb ©Getty Images
Germany's Felix Neureuther finished second in Zagreb ©Getty Images

Austria’s Marcel Hirscher finished sixth in Zagreb and remains the overall World Cup leader.

The defending champion has 753 points to his name, with Norway’s Kjetil Jansrud his closest challenger on 482.

Jansrud did not compete today, while France’s Alexis Pinturault, third on 465 points, failed to finish his second run.

Austria’s Manuel Feller, who led after the first run, suffered the same fate as Pinturault. 

The men’s FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup is due to continue in Swiss village Adelboden on Saturday (January 7), when a giant slalom is scheduled.

A slalom is due to take place on Sunday (January 8).