It looked signed and sealed after the first run for Johannes Strolz to win his second race of the year but no one told Atle Lie McGrath as he overcame a 0.97 deficit to win his first World Cup race. Clement Noel and Daniel Yule joined McGrath on the podium with Strolz dropping to fourth with Marco Schwarz taking fifth.
Night slalom racing is something that appeals to many but after taking second in Schladming, McGrath must wish all the slalom races were held at night. McGrath could not watch the run of Strolz and had to be told by Clement Noel that he had won the race!
Noel must have thought he had done enough after he had ripped the lead from the grasp of Daniel Yule. There was some impressive second run charging from many of the racers on the second run as they looked to try and force their way in to the top 25 that would make the trip to Meribel for the World Cup Finals or to try and battle out for the Slalom Globe.
Sadly for the two British racers on the second run, Taylor spun out of the race half way down when giving his customary no holds barred run while for Ryding he was looking in great form as he looked to take the lead and shore up his challenge for the Globe.
As he came into the first roller, disaster struck for Ryding and the curse of the straddle, the third time this season, Ryding was out. You could see the disbelief across his face and you had to feel for him. Slalom is about such fine margins and when the ski goes the wrong side, you are out. Brutal.
While Taylor was looking for more points to make a move on starting in the top 30, for Ryding the end result is his challenge for the Globe is now over for this season. He drops to 6th in the season long standings but 109 behind Kristoffersen.
Kristoffersen had a night to forget. He messed up the rest run but battled his way to 16th from 28th and still holds the lead in the standings.
The men now move to Kranjska Gora for a double GS at the weekend before the World Cup Finals in Meribel
Full results