By USSA

SOELDEN, Austria – Four-time Audi FIS Alpine World Cup giant slalom champion Ted Ligety (Park City) pulled out a historic win at the Soelden World Cup GS, becoming the first man in history to win three World Cup GS races in a row at Soelden.

Ligety beat out Frenchman Alexis Pinturault by 0.79 seconds to nab his 18th victory and open the Olympic season. Two-time overall champion Bode Miller (Franconia, N.H.) skied into the top-20 during his first World Cup race since February 2012. Teammate Tim Jitloff (Reno) finished 20, right behind Miller.

The course was drenched in sun and became slushy during the first run, but high winds, bumps and variable light made for a more difficult second run.

The start was lowered by 10 gates for both runs due to the high winds.

Ligety will be in New York City on Tuesday to receive the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Olympic SportsMan of the Year Award, a part of the 100 Days Out to Sochi festivities.