Austria's Marco Schwarz celebrates with his team after securing giant slalom gold in Palisades Tahoe ©Getty Images

Austria’s Marco Schwarz edged Switzerland’s newly-crowned world champion Marco Odermatt by three hundredths of a second at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Alpine Ski World Cup event in Palisades Tahoe.

Odermatt arrived at the American resort in confident mood after capturing giant slalom and downhill gold at this month’s FIS Alpine World Ski Championships but was denied another World Cup win by Schwarz.

The Austrian, who finished third in the giant slalom competition at Courchevel Méribel 2023, gained revenge over Odermatt as he secured gold in Palisades Tahoe in the giant slalom with a combined time of 2min 23.63sec.

Odermatt was sitting in first position after clocking a first-run time of 1:08.43 - 0.40 quicker than Schwarz who was fifth at the halfway mark.

Schwarz then climbed to the top after finishing his second run in 1:14.80 before watching on as his rivals failed to better his time.

"It is amazing," said Schwarz, who claimed his first giant slalom World Cup victory.

"It was a big fight today, especially the second run.

"I had a mistake in the second flat.

"I tried to attack and I am happy about my first victory."

Olympic giant slalom champion Odermatt agonisingly missed out on gold as he finished in 2:23.66 for silver.

"The second run was really bad," said the Swiss star.

"I had too many mistakes to win so I was surprised it was enough for the podium.

"I had bad thoughts.

"The course setting on the second run was a little stupid for me.

"At the top it was so, so slow.

"You had to push three times in the flat and that is not how ski racing should be.

"But the best guy won today with Marco and that’s racing."

Reigning giant slalom Olympic and world champion Marco Odermatt was forced to settle for silver at the World Cup in Palisades Tahoe ©Getty Images
Reigning giant slalom Olympic and world champion Marco Odermatt was forced to settle for silver at the World Cup in Palisades Tahoe ©Getty Images

Rasmus Windingstad of Norway completed the podium as he produced two solid runs to finish in 2:23.99 for bronze.

"The last time I was on a giant slalom podium, also with Marco, was in 2019," said Windingstad.

"There have been some rough patches but, today feels really nice.

"Hopefully I can bring it forward."

Odermatt has extended his lead at the top of the giant slalom World Cup rankings with 540 points - 100 more than second-placed Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway.

He has also strengthened his position at the summit of the overall standings, leading Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde by 313 points.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the men’s slalom race.