Raich in pole position after win

Benjamin Raich has a good record in Kranjska Gora

Austria's Benjamin Raich claimed his third straight win in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia to take the lead in the World Cup giant slalom standings.

The defending giant slalom champion came home in a time of two minutes, 19.03 seconds, with Francois Bourque second and Massimiliano Blardone third.

Raich heads the standings by just three points from Norwegian Aksel Lund Svindal with just one race to go.

Svindal came fourth to lead Raich by three points in the overall standings.

Raich won his first podium at Kranjska Gora in 1999 and has won four giant slaloms since.

"It's good, this fight with Aksel," said Raich. "It's good for me and good for the sport. It will be very open until the end.

"This is a place where I feel so comfortable and relaxed. Once you have done well in a place you come back with a lot of confidence.

"I still have some more to do, so I have to hold my focus in the coming races."

Svindal was disappointed to be fourth after having the third-best time in the opening run.

"I was hoping to stay on the podium," said the Norwegian. "I should have been a little more aggressive.

"On the other hand, it is my best result here so I have to be happy too."

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Giant slalom result from Kranjska Gora, Slovenia:
1. Benjamin Raich (Aut) 2:19.03
2. Francois Bourque (Can) 2:19.58
3. Massimiliano Blardone (It) 2:19.60
4. Ted Ligety (US) 2:19.65
4. Aksel Lund Svindal (Nor) 2:19.65
6. Didier Cuche (Swi) 2:19.95
7. Hannes Reichelt (Aut) 2:20.11
8. Christoph Gruber (Aut) 2:20.14
9. Mario Scheiber (Aut) 2:20.49
10. Joel Chenal (Fra) 2:20.63

Giant slalom standings:
1. Raich 319 points
2. Svindal 316
3. Blardone 300
4. Kalle Palander (Fin) 259
5. Bourque 213
6. Ligety 186
7. Cuche 173
8. Bode Miller (US) 172
9. Didier Defago (Swi) 163
10. Chenal 118

Overall World Cup standings:
1. Svindal 868 points
2. Raich 865
3. Cuche 788
4. Miller 663
5. Peter Fill (It) 601
6. Mario Matt (Aut) 564
7. Palander 482
8. Jens Byggmark (Swe) 461
9. Marco Buechel (Lie) 457
10. Scheiber 441