Austria's Marcel Hirscher claimed his fourth victory of the season ©Getty Images

Austria's Marcel Hirscher claimed his fourth victory of the season after winning a dramatic slalom race at the International Ski Federation Alpine Skiing World Cup in Madonna di Campiglio in Italy.

The defending World Cup champion clocked a combined time of 1min 39.79 sec to move to the top of the overall standings.

Alpine Combined world champion Luca Aerni of Switzerland recorded his first World Cup podium as he took silver, 0.04sec adrift of the Austrian.

Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen finished third as he was relegated to second place on the leaderboard as a result of Hirscher's triumph.

It was not a completely comfortable outing for the Austrian star, however.

After clocking the quickest time of 48.46 in the opening run, Hirscher stuttered midway through his second and had to save himself from falling with a superb recovery to cross the line faster than Aerni.

Marcel Hirscher triumphed after a remarkable recovery in the second run helped him to victory ©Getty Images
Marcel Hirscher triumphed after a remarkable recovery in the second run helped him to victory ©Getty Images

The result elevated Hirscher into pole position as he chases a seventh consecutive overall World Cup crown.

The 28-year-old, who is still to clinch an Olympic gold medal, now has a total of 534 points.

Kristoffersen follows in second place with 505 and his compatriot Aksel Lund Svindal occupies third on 374.

The triumph for Hirscher saw him banish the demons of the corresponding event in the Italian resort two years ago, where he was nearly hit by a drone as it fell from the sky during his run.

The Alpine Skiing World Cup season continues with a men's downhill competition in Bormio beginning on Tuesday (December 26).