Alexander Khoroshilov ended a 24-year wait for a Russian victory in the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup on Tuesday, claiming the men's slalom in Schladming, Austria.
The 30-year-old Russian became the first of his countrymen to win an Alpine Skiing World Cup event since Alexander Zhirov in 1981, overcoming Italy's Stefano Gross and Felix Neureuther of Germany.
Khoroshilov produced the fastest time of the opening run, stopping the clock at 53.67 seconds, while his 52.72secs on the second run was enough to claim gold.
"I am extremely happy. I was able to put together two good runs, I had a good feeling on skis all along and when you feel good you can ski fast," Khoroshilov was quoted as saying by fis-ski.com.
The Yelizovo-native's second run was 23rd-fastest but made him the only skier to break the 1:47.00 barrier in Austria, as he ended with a total time of 1:46.39.
Gross (1:47.83) produced the third-fastest second run to claim silver, while Neureuther had notched the second-fastest time on the first run to finish with 1:47.90.
Khoroshilov's first World Cup podium came this season too, as he had claimed third in Are, Sweden in December.
Neureuther, who maintained his overall lead in the slalom, hailed his Russian opponent's performance.
"I was very impressed with how Alexander crossed the finish line and celebrated with a small movement of the hand," the German said.
"If I had won my first World Cup ever and did so after leading in the first run and finishing 1.44 seconds ahead I would have totally freaked out.
"It was pretty impressive how cool he was after winning the race, and I have huge respect for what he did today."