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Feb 15 Gaston Silva Uruguay Jersey , 2015; Beaver Creek, CO, USA; Race winner Jean-Baptiste Grange of France (middle) celebrates on the podium next to Felix Neureuther of Germany (left) and Fritz Dopfer of Germany (right) after run two of the men's slalom in the FIS alpine skiing world championships at Birds of Prey Racecourse. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Grange closed the alpine ski world championships with an upset, driving through a blizzard to win the slalom gold medal on Sunday as defending champion Marcel Hirscher skidded out.


The 2011 champion, Grange reclaimed the title with a daring go-for-broke second run in limited visibility down a deteriorating Birds of Prey track to post a two-run winning time of one minute, 57.47 seconds.


Germany grabbed the other two spots on the podium with Fritz Dopfer finishing 0.35 seconds adrift to take silver and World Cup slalom leader Felix Neureuther the bronze.


"Skiing Gaston Ramirez Uruguay Jersey , it's always hard, but it's easier when you are on the podium and when you win," said Grange, who had not set foot on a World Cup podium since a third-place finish in 2011. "I was out of the podium for four years so I can't expect this. It's a dream.


"The big events, like world championships and Olympic Games, there is always a lot of press and a lot of pressure and you are not always feeling good Fernando Muslera Uruguay Jersey , but you have to believe in yourself.


"Today was my day."


Fifth after the opening run, a daunting 0.88 seconds back of Hirscher, the 30-year-old Frenchman posted the best second-leg time of the day, 53.21 seconds, and then stood in the finish area and watched as the final four medal contenders failed to push him from top spot.


Hirscher, looking to give Austria a sixth gold medal that would match their best performance at a world championships Egidio Arevalo Rios Uruguay Jersey , held a slim lead as he came in sight of the finish area, only to lose control and straddle a gate.


"I didn't expect that," said Grange, adding he had considered retiring after injuries and a string of poor results. "This year I just wanted to go for a medal.


"I had my first podium here and then I had a bad injury in the knee but it was in giant slalom.


"I have a lot of emotion in Beaver Creek, bad and very good."

Feb 15, 2015; Beaver Creek Edinson Cavani Uruguay Jersey , CO, USA; Jean-Baptiste Grange of France during run two of the men's slalom in the FIS alpine skiing world championships at Birds of Prey Racecourse. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports