Sebastien Amiez of France wrested the World Cup slalom title from world champion Alberto Tomba in a thrilling end to the season on Sunday.
Although Thomas Sykora charged from behind to beat Amiez in the final race, Amiez's finish was enough to keep him ahead of the fourth-place Tomba in the final slalom standings.Tomba, a double gold medalist at last month's World Championships in Sierra Nevada, Spain, and a three-time Olympic champion, was fourth for the second day in a row in a disappointing end to an otherwise fine season.
The 23-year-old Amiez, who held a 19-point lead over the Italian going into the race, became the first Frenchman to win the slalom title since Jean-Noel Augert in 1972.
"It's good to beat the world champion," Amiez said. "There was a lot of pressure. I was afraid to crack under pressure, with Tomba so close behind. It's champagne for me tonight."
Sykora, who shared second place after the first run with Tomba, charged ahead in the afternoon for his second victory of the season, while the Italian struggled on the snow softened by the midday sun.
"It's a great way to finish the season," Sykora said.
Tomba complained about the low-key atmosphere at the season-ending event. "It was a horrible final because of the atmosphere. ... It was very different from the Olympics.
"It's not possible to run on this course. The snow is not good for the late skiers," said Tomba, who had to start 22nd, next to last, in the second run.
Tomba finished behind Jure Kosir of Slovenia and had to settle for second in final slalom standings.
Amiez won only one of the season's nine slalom races, but he placed high in all of them and collected 539 points for the title. Tomba won three races but also failed to finish three and earned 490 for the season.
Tomba had already lost the overall title to Lasse Kjus of Norway and the giant slalom crown to Michael von Gruenigen of Switzerland.
But his four slalom titles still rank second on the all-time World Cup list, behind eight by Ingemar Stenmark, the retired Swedish ace.
"I am very tired now. It's a terrible life. There is a lot of stress and it's not possible for me to live the life of a normal 29-year-old," Tomba complained.
"I want to stop for three months now. I don't want to think anything about skiing for three months. Later, probably in July, I'll decide about my future."
There has been speculation that Tomba might retire, but he said it was "possible" that he will be around at next year's World Championships in Sestriere, Italy. He won slalom and giant slalom gold medals in Sierra Nevada.