Alexis Pinturault posted the best run in Monday's opening leg of the Hinterstoder giant slalom, taking a near one-second lead over the field. Frenchman Pinturault, second to Aleksander Aamodt Kilde in the overall World Cup standings, set a time of 1min 24.30sec to put himself in prime position for a second win in as many days at the Austrian resort. He won Sunday's alpine combined -- an event comprising a super-G and slalom -- to close to within 34 points of Kilde in the race for the crystal globe. Croatia's Filip Zubcic was second after Monday's first run, 0.90sec off the pace, with Zan Kranjec of Slovenia third at 1.12sec. Henrik Kristoffersen, third in the overall rankings, was sixth (+1.42) while compatriot Kilde, a speed specialist, came ninth (+1.88). The second leg is scheduled for 1130 GMT. tba/jr/mw/cw