Eva-Maria Brem won the women's giant slalom World Cup event in Courchevel ©Getty Images

Austria's Eva-Maria Brem claimed World Cup giant slalom victory today in Val d'Isere as compatriot Marcel Hirscher continued his domination of the men's technical disciplines in Alta Badia.

Competing in unseasonably warm spring-like conditions, Brem led after both runs to set a combined time of 2min 01.72sec to edge out Norway's Nina Loeseth and Switzerland's in-form Lara Gut, winner on each of the last two days in Val d'Isere.

Loeseth and Gut finished tied for second place, 0.17 seconds behind. 

It marked a breakthrough victory for Brem as she followed second place finishes at the last two giant slalom World Cup races in Aspen and Åre.

“Every season I just need that one moment when everything gets together, that one run, like the second one in Aspen when I felt 'this is how I need to keep this working,'” she said.

“I knew what I had to do, but waiting at the start was tough.

“That second victory was beautiful too and that made me cry.”

Gut's performance, meanwhile, was good enough for her to move top of the overall FIS World Cup rankings with 558 points.

She sits 58 ahead of United States' Lindsey Vonn, 13th today, 1.63 seconds behind.

Austria's Marcel Hirscher continued his dominant World Cup form with victory at Alta Badia ©Getty Images
Austria's Marcel Hirscher continued his dominant World Cup form with victory at Alta Badia ©Getty Images

Brem's compatriot Hirscher became the first skier to win the challenging Alta Badia giant slalom for three successive seasons in the Italian resort of La Villa.

The 26-year-old overhauled a slim first-run disadvantage to finish 0.19 seconds ahead of Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen in 2:33.34.

"I skied totally my 100 per cent," the Austrian said.

"I think Kristoffersen was a little bit smoother but I pushed harder."

Opening-leg leader Victor Muffat-Jeandet of France finished third, 0.86 behind the winner.

America's Olympic and three-time world champion Ted Ligety finished fourth overall after moving up from 10th following the opening run.

Hirscher's performance was enough for him to move 20 points clear in the overall standings ahead of Norwegian rival and downhill specialist Aksel Lund Svindal, who finished 28th today.

It was Hirscher's 35th World Cup win and puts him in pole position to become the first man to win five consecutive overall titles.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Skiing World Cup continues for the men in Alta Badia tomorrow, with parallel giant slalom.

The women's next event is due to be in Lienz in Austria, where giant slalom and slalom are planned for December 28 and 29.