. world ski news : Maiden win for Aubert - 07 March 2009 - 15:45
Sandrine Aubert finished first with a time of 1:46.28, to claim her maiden World Cup win in the slalom in Ofterschwang, Germany. The French skier had finished the first round third, but after mistakes by both Kathrin Zettel and Lindsey Vonn, Aubert soared up the rankings to top spot.
Frida Hansdotter finished with a time of 1:46.71 and claimed second place. The Swede had never before managed to make it onto the podium, and will be thrilled with the result in view of her trip home to compete in the finals.
Nicole Hosp improved in the second run and finished third overall with a time of 1:47.10. The result will be a big boost to the Austrian's confidence after a nasty injury in the giant slalom in Semmering marred her season.
The poor weather relented slightly for the second run, however, contestants still had to deal with the snow which had fallen in the past few days.
Sarka Zahrobska finished fourth, with a time of 1:47.20. The Czech former slalom World Champion is third in the discipline standings with only the finals left, however she is too far behind the leaders to move up the standings and instead will have to fend off an attack by Tanja Poutiainen for third spot in the final slalom of the season next week.
Maria Riesch concluded a disappointing race in fifth position, with a time of 1:47.58, just 6/100 ahead of her younger sister Susanne, who finished the race in sixth place. The younger Riesch had also finished in the top ten in the previous slalom, in Garmisch, and is certainly keeping the family tradition going.
Maria Pietilae-Holmner finished seventh, with a time of 1:47.73.
Marie-Michele Gagnon finished eighth, with a time of 1:48.05, her second top ten finish, in only her sixth World Cup race.
Tanja Poutiainen finished the event in ninth place, with a time of 1:47.10. The Finn technical specialist is fourth in the slalom rankings, but too far behind to challenge for the Crystal Globe, however, she can still fight for third place in the discipline World Cup.
Big favourites Lindsey Vonn, Kathrin Zettel and Anja Paerson, who had finished the first round first, second and fourth all failed to finish in the final run. Both the American and the Austrian got their skies caught up in a gate, which cost them heavily in the end as they were unable to continue their runs.
Riesch claimed the title in the slalom World Cup, thanks to the exit form the race of main rival Lindsey Vonn. The German has accumulated 625 points in the discipline this season, whilst Vonn has only earned 440. With one venue left the slalom is the third speciality to be established this seaosn, after the super combined won by Paerson and the donwhill won by Vonn.
The World Cup now moves on to Are, Sweden, for the final event in the four individual disciplines and the first, and last, Team Event of the season.
Saturday, 07 March 2009 13:00
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