March wins first ever World Cup title in Moscow

AARON March has claimed his first World Cup title taking the gold medal in the men's parallel slalom in Moscow.

The Italian finished 0.14 seconds ahead of Olympic silver medallist Benjamin Karl of Austria while Italy's Roland Fischnaller came third.

The 23-year-old has already showed his potential this year reaching the quarter final stage in Vancouver where he lost out to Karl by 2.27 seconds.

But March was more shocked than most that he was able to top the podium for the first time in 37 attempts by overcoming current World Cup leader Karl.

"It was pretty hard for me in the beginning. But I got into it better and better with every run I did," said March.

"I'm pretty surprised that I was able to win."

Meanwhile Doris Guenther took the women's title with her second podium finish of the season to go some way towards erasing the painful memories of Vancouver, where the Austrian could only finish ninth.

Compatriot Heidi Neururer took silver 0.13 seconds behind while Julia Dujmovits won bronze.

"It was so much fun to compete in front of so many spectators. I could do more races like this one," said Guenther.

"Right from the beginning I felt super strong. It is very important for me to claim victory right after the Olympics."