Ted Ligety of the United States races during the Men's Giant Slalom on Day 12 of the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships on February 13, 2015 in Beaver Creek, Colo.Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
American Ted Ligety used a mistake-free performance Friday to storm back from a first-run deficit and capture his third straight giant slalom title at the world championships.
Behind Marcel Hirscher of Austria by 0.24 seconds after the morning run, Ligety found speed down the course where others couldn't and finished in an unofficial time of 2 minutes, 34.16 seconds. Hirscher was second, 0.45 seconds behind, and Alexis Pinturault of France earned the bronze.
It was the first gold medal of these championships for the Americans. Ligety won the 2011 world GS title in Germany and again two years ago in Austria, which was part of his three gold-medal performance.
Racing last, Hirscher lost time throughout the course. With his win secure, Ligety tossed his ski high into the air.
Ligety, of Park City, Utah, has always shined on this hill. He's won five World Cup races at Beaver Creek.