CHAMONIX, France – Alexis Pinturault of France protected his lead from the morning slalom in the afternoon’s downhill to win an Alpine combined race Friday and clinch the overall combined title.

It was the 12th race win of the 24-year-old Pinturault’s career and his first title in any discipline.

He was level on points with Norwegian Kjetil Jansrud in the combined standings before this race. But downhill specialist Jansrud’s bid crumbled as he placed fifth.

Italian Dominik Paris finished 0.27 seconds behind Pinturault to take second ahead of French pair Thomas Mermillod Blondin and Victor Muffat-Jeandet.

The French just missed another sweep in combined after a 1-2-3 in Kitzbuehel, Austria, last month.

The downhill run was delayed more than one hour because of poor visibility and the course was shortened.