Hirscher clocked a combined time of 1min 55.96sec to finish ahead of Germany's Felix Neureuther in 1:56.77 and Norway's Sebastian-Foss Solevaag in 1:57.00. 

The victory takes the Olympic silver medallist above Norway's Kjetil Jansrud at the top of the overall World Cup standings, but he still trails Neureuther, the only racer to have finished on the podium in all three races this season, in the slalom rankings by four points. 

"It's unbelievable, third time in a row makes it a great victory, it's almost unbelievable," Hirscher told the FIS website. 

The reigning overall World Cup champion praised the condition of the Crveni Spust race course and the influence of 14,000 spectators when questioned on the key to winning his third "Snow Queen Trophy" crown in a row. 

"For me it's the preparation that makes the difference, as we have seen it today it's very icy, allowing many athletes with high bibs to ski to the top places so I want to thank the OC [Organising Committee] for this," he added. 

"Of course the people that come out here, the way they are celebrating and creating a great atmosphere on the race hill helps too."

Marcel Hirscher has taken the lead in the overall World Cup standings ©Getty Images



Solevaag was 1.22 seconds behind Hirscher after his first run and went on to secure the first World Cup podium of his career.

"I knew I wasn't far from a podium after the first run so I just decided to give it my best shot and go for it," he told the FIS website.

"This is my first time here and the result took me by surprise a little bit.

"The conditions were very good today a lot of people cheering make it really fun to ski."

The next leg of the World Cup is scheduled to take place on January 10 and 11 in Adelboden, Switzerland, where Hirscher has won in the slalom for the past three years.  

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