Unstoppable Grange wins Kitzbuehel slalom

KITZBUEHEL, Austria (Reuters) - Unstoppable Frenchman Jean-Batpiste Grange added a classic victory to his collection when he won the Kitzbuehel slalom on Sunday.

After completing a rare double a week a go when he won a slalom and a combined in Wengen, the skier from Valloire kept his momentum to win in one minute and 45.04 seconds.

Grange dethroned Sweden's Jens Byggmark, who had won both slaloms held on the Austrian piste last year but had to be content with second place, 0.15 seconds behind the Frenchman.

Local hero Mario Matt, who won his first slalom in Kitzbuehel in 2000, took third place, 0.52 off the pace.

"To win here in front of such a crowd, ahead of last year's winner and the world champion, what more can you ask for?" Grange told reporters.

"Things are nicely fitting into place. I'm solid, I'm strong. It's a pity you don't have the time enjoy it."

Boosted by his team mate's performances this season, France's Julien Lizeroux earned his best World Cup result in fourth place, missing the podium by 0.15 seconds.

France were expecting a lean spell in the technical events after the retirement of 2002 Olympic champion Jean-Pierre Vidal, who won in Kitzbuehel two years ago.

But the young guard have quickly taken over the baton and Grange is already being compared to skiing greats Jean-Claude Killy and Jean-Noel Augert, the two Frenchmen who won in Wengen and Kitzbuehel the same year, in 1967 and 1972 respectively.

Bode Miller claimed the combined, which takes into account the results of Saturday's downhill and Sunday's slalom, ahead of Austrian Benjamin Raich.

It was a consolation for the American, who finished second in the downhill behind Swiss Didier Cuche.

"I came here bidding to win three races. I end up with one and a second place. I can't complain," said Miller, who added that he intended to make amends in the slalom in Schladming on Tuesday.