The 2016/17 season opener was won by France's Alexis Pinturault, who was followed by Austria's Marcel Hirscher and Germany's Felix Neureuther.

Placing behind the three great giant slalomists, Kranjec outperformed US giant slalom star Ted Ligety to secure his career's best result.

This is the first time he placed among the top ten; last December, he was 12th in Val d'Isere.

"I might seem very calm, but I'm bursting... I'm so happy that I could do two good runs. 4th place is a great result, I wouldn't have dared to forecast it. But it seems I have to leave podium results for other races," the 23-year old skier told public radio station Radio Slovenija.

His 4th place bodes well for the rest of the skiing season, which will culminate in February with the World Championships in St. Moritz.

In the absence of Slovenia's best alpine skier Tina Maze, who has ended her career, Slovenian skiers opened the season with flaying colours.

Kranjec's success comes a day after Slovenia's Ana Drev ended 10th and Tina Robnik 19th in the World Cup giant slalom opener for women in Sölden.

* Results:
1. Alexis Pinturault (Fra) 2:14.01 1:04.38 1:09.63
2. Marcel Hirscher (Aut) 2:14.71 +00.70 1:04.55 1:10.16
3. Felix Neureuther (Ger) 2:15.38 +01.37 1:05.12 1:10.26
4. Žan Kranjec (Slo) 2:15.45 +01.44 1:05.54 1:09.91
5. Ted Ligety (USA) 2:15.66 +01.65 1:05.87 1:09.79
6. Thomas Fanara (Fra) 2:15.68 +01.67 1:05.42 1:10.26
7. Justin Murisier (Swi) 2:15.79 +01.78 1:04.58 1:11.21
8. Henrik Kristoffersen (Nor) 2:15.93 +01.92 1:05.46 1:10.47
9. Mathieu Faivre (Fra) 2:15.94 +01.93 1:05.77 1:10.17
10. Luca de Aliprandini (Ita) 2:16.13 +02.12 1:06.18 1:09.95
...

- failed to advance to second run: Miha Hrobat (Slo)

- overall (1):
1. Alexis Pinturault (Fra) 100
2. Marcel Hirscher (Aut) 80
3. Felix Neureuther (Ger) 60
4. Žan Kranjec (Slo) 50
5. Ted Ligety (USA) 45
6. Thomas Fanara (Fra) 40
7. Justin Murisier (Swi) 36
8. Henrik Kristoffersen (Nor) 32
9. Mathieu Faivre (Fra) 29
10. Luca de Aliprandini (Ita) 26
...

- giant slalom (1):
1. Alexis Pinturault (Fra) 100
2. Marcel Hirscher (Aut) 80
3. Felix Neureuther (Ger) 60
4. Žan Kranjec (Slo) 50
5. Ted Ligety (USA) 45
6. Thomas Fanara (Fra) 40
7. Justin Murisier (Šwi) 36
8. Henrik Kristoffersen (Nor) 32
9. Mathieu Faivre (Fra) 29
10. Luca de Aliprandini (Ita) 26
...