Austria's Schwarz wins World Cup race in Italy to go to top of overall, slalom standings

Marco Schwarz's mission to challenge Swiss dominator Marco Odermatt for the overall World Cup ski title is on track.

After eight races, the Austrian skier has become No. 1 in the season standings.

For Schwarz, a former slalom specialist who turned into an all-event skier, the lead is a first reward for his ambition to start in as many races on the 45-event calendar as possible.

On Friday, Schwarz won a night race in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, to take the lead, also in the slalom standings. He improved from sixth position after the opening leg to win by 0.25 seconds from Olympic champion Clement Noel.

WATCH | Schwarz secures World Cup slalom victory:

The Frenchman was the first-run leader, and aiming for only his second victory since winning Olympic gold in February 2022.

British skier Dave Ryding posted the second fastest time in the final run and climbed from 15th to third place for his seventh career podium finish.

Calgary's Erik Read was the lone Canadian in the event, placing 25th.

In the overall standings, Schwarz overtook two-time defending champion Odermatt by eight points. The Swiss skier does not compete in slaloms.

"For sure, it's one of the best Christmas gifts so far to win this classic here in Madonna. It's unbelievable," Schwarz said.

Odermatt won his second overall title last season when he racked up a men's record of 2,042 points, 702 more than runner-up Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.

Schwarz finished last season in seventh, nearly 1,200 points behind Odermatt.

Still, the Austrian hoped to close the gap in this campaign by competing in more events than Odermatt. With 180 points from two slaloms, his strategy is working so far.

The Austrian's results in the other six races include two more podiums and a