FLACHAU, Austria (AP) _ Giorgio Rocca of Italy won a men's World Cup slalom on the Hermann Maier course Wednesday, beating out home favorite Rainer Schoenfelder thanks to a flawless second run. Rocca, second after the first leg behind Schoenfelder, finished in a two-run aggregate time of 1 minute, 34.86 seconds, edging the Austrian by 0.24 seconds. German Alois Vogl was third, 0.31 seconds behind, securing his first career podium finish.

Overall World Cup leader Bode Miller of the United States crashed out after setting a best intermediate time in the first run and did not qualify for the second leg. Miller leads the standings with 858 points from 15 events, ahead of Austria's Benjamin Raich, who finished sixth Wednesday, with 546 and Hermann Maier with 482. Rocca, who made his World Cup debut at Flachau eight years ago, celebrated his fourth career slalom victory and the best result this season.

"Knee injuries have repeatedly thrown me back. But now this trouble looks to be over," said the Swiss-born Italian, who finished fourth in the slalom World Cup standings in the last two seasons. "The conditions here were tough, although the piste was great," he said of the fast, icy course. "The atmosphere was exciting and fighting it out with Rainer in front of such a crowd was incredible. To come out the winner is of course the best possible Christmas present." Schoenfelder, the defending World Cup slalom champion, disappointed the 15,000 cheering home fans, dropping from first place after the opening leg to second.

The 27-year-old finished third in the opening slalom of the season in Beaver Creek and, nursing a knee injury, ninth in Sestriere. "I'm content with the runner-up spot, although winning in front of our home fans would have been even better," he said. To get acquainted with the icy conditions, Schoenfelder and his Austrian teammates squeezed in extra training sessions on the hill Monday.

Third-placed German Alois Vogl was the biggest surprise of the day after posting the best result for the German men in a slalom since Peter Roth's win at Mt. Hutt, New Zealand in 1990. "I don't really know what to say. I just skied down at full risk twice and it paid off," the 31-year-old said "I finally showed everybody that I can do the trick twice.

It's a great present to me right before Christmas and that on my favorite slope." Swiss Sylvain Zurbriggen, winner at Sestriere, failed to cope with the icy conditions and didn't qualify for the second leg. Canada's Thomas Grandi, who won two giant slaloms in a row earlier this week, finished 12th.

by HARRY MILTNER  
22/12/2004 14:42

Grandi wins again 
 
FLACHAU, Austria (AP) _ Canada's Thomas Grandi won his second World Cup giant slalom in three days Tuesday, while American Bode Miller extended his lead in the overall standings with a third-place finish. Grandi overtook first round leader Didier Cuche of Switzerland with a superb second run, finishing in a combined two-leg time of 2 minutes 15.90 seconds.

The 31-year-old Canadian had never won a World Cup race prior to Sunday's giant slalom in Alta Badia, Italy. His previous best results were second in a slalom in Kitzbuehel last season and third in a Park City, Utah giant slalom in 1997-98. "I cannot fully grasp yet what has happened," Grandi said. Cuche finished second, 0.15 behind Grandi and almost a second ahead of Miller, who had the second fastest time in the second run and moved up from seventh after the first leg.

"Grandi and Cuche were absolute world class. They were invincible today," said Miller. "No matter what we did, it seemed they always had a better reply. I guess not even a short cut would have helped to beat Tom today." Grandi was the only skier to complete his second run down the fast Hermann Maier course under 1 minute and eight seconds. "I heard Bode had set a new best and was still ahead when I came," he said. "But I kept my nerve and with the self-confidence I got at the moment, I risked a lot and could feel that I was fast." While the Austrians, competing in front of home fans, were struggling with the icy conditions, Grandi and Cuche skied in a league of their own. "That was the icing on the cake, my Christmas and birthday presents in one," said Grandi, who will celebrate his 32nd birthday on Dec. 27. Grandi, who took the lead in the super-G standings, won despite being distracted after his maiden World Cup win on Sunday.

"After my win in Alta Badia things went crazy. Interviews, celebrations, receptions, great fun, but not too good for my form." Cuche, first disappointed, later thanked the organizers for pouring water over the slope to ice it. "The conditions were perfect for us, it was great to ski here," he said. Miller stretched his World Cup lead over second-place Benjamin Raich to 352 points. Miller has 858 points after 14 races, Raich is on 506 and third-place Maier has 479.

Skiing in his home town and on a slope named for him, Hermann Maier finished back in 28th place. The 'Herminator' was 11th after the first run and risked a lot in the second, crashing just after setting the best intermediate time. He got up and skied on to cross the finish line 10 seconds behind Grandi. "I had to ski at full risk. I was fast, but when I got a sudden hit, I crashed out," said Maier, who was still cheered on by his fans in the finish area.

"I was born here and it was my duty to finish. And after all, those two or three points may make the difference at the end of the day," the 32-year-old Maier added. Raich, who gave Austria its last giant slalom victory back in January, finished fourth, 0.05 seconds behind Miller. He was the only Austrian in the top 15.

By HARRY MILTNER  
21/12/2004 14:07

 
World cup Leader

Miller Bode
12.10.1977 (Franconia)
Ski: Atomic
 
  Miller Bode  858
  Raich Benjamin  546
  Maier Hermann  479
  Walchhofer Michael  401
  Cuche Didier  359
  Rahlves Daron  351
  Grandi Thomas  322
  Kjus Lasse  266
  Buchel Marco  257
  Palander Kalle  256

Next Races
28.12.2004 Semmering (AUT) GS
29.12.2004 Bormio (ITA) DH
29.12.2004 Semmering (AUT) SL
08.01.2005 Chamonix (FRA) DH
08.01.2005 Berchtesgaden (GER) GS
09.01.2005 Chamonix (FRA) SL
09.01.2005 Berchtesgaden (GER) SL