In a breathtaking contest Norwegian Aksel Lund Svindal, leaving the Bode Miller of the United States behind, reclaimed the overall World Cup lead by winning the men’s giant slalom Thursday that he finished in a combined time of 2 minutes 25.63 seconds. This event also proved great for Canadian Francois Bourque who, earlier lying at fifth position, moved to second place with a strong second trip to finish the event in 2:25.89, whereas, Kalle Palander of Finland finished third with 2:26.03 time.
Svindal had to go through a sever criticism when he ended 11th in a super-giant slalom on Wednesday and lost the overall lead to Miller. On hard criticism Svindal asserted,
I never had a crisis, but some people in Norway thought I had a crisis. So if they’re having a crisis when they’re sitting in their office with the heating and watching on television, then be my guest.
It wasn’t a great day for the hosts, for Benjamin Raich, the defending World Cup champion, finished fifth and only managed to secure the 10th position for Austria. This is the 13th race without a victory, for Austrian men’s team, the worst ever performance since 1992
The men are off the track for Christmas and resume the event with downhill races in Bormio, Italy, on December 28th and 29th.
On the contrary, in the women’s World Cup standings, the season is proving a great run for Marlies Schild of Austria who seized the overall lead by claiming her third straight slalom Thursday in 1 minute 46.15 seconds that helped her to gain first spot in the overall standings with 477 points, whereas, German Annemarie Gerg stood second with 1:46.36 finish and Therese Borssen of Sweden finished third taking 1:46.39 time period.
After claiming the third straight slalom Schild said,
I feel really happy to be in the lead today. My knee doesn’t hurt and my back doesn’t hurt. But I don’t feel invincible. It was really close today.
In the women overall standings, it’s all Austrian affair as after Schild, Nicole Hosp is in second spot with 460 points and Renate Götschl with 441is holding third position.
Via: iht.com
