Maze Wins Third Straight Giant Slalom
ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (Dec. 9) - Slovenia's Tina Maze made a bold statement in her quest to win the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup overall and giant slalom title by capturing her third straight race in the discipline. Defending overall champion Lindsey Vonn was fifth after the opening run and up nearly a full second in the final when she saved a mid race crash to finish 27th. Julia Mancuso battled high winds during her final run to lead the U.S. Ski Team with 21st and young gun Mikaela Shiffrin qualified for the final, but did not finish the second run.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Tina Maze of Slovenia won her third consecutive Audi FIS Alpine World Cup giant slalom to take a commanding 234 point lead in the overall title chase. Vonn sits third behind German Maria Hoefl-Riesch.
- German Olympic GS champion Viktoria Rebensburg finished second with Tess Worley of France third.
- Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) was fifth after the first run, but survived a near midrace crash to finish 27th. Vonn is still feeling the affects of a stomach illness that halted her training for over a week.
- Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, CA) encountered gusty winds during her final run and finished 21st. Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) qualified for the final in 18th, but did not finish the second run.
- The World Cup no transitions back to speed events where the Best in the World U.S. women have captured eight of 12 podiums this season including four wins by Vonn.
QUOTES
Lindsey Vonn
I have a lot of respect for Tina. She's skiing amazing right now and what she's doing is really good for the sport. I really have my work cut out for me in tech events.
I was just dead. Two-run races are really hard for me right now. I caught on the inside ski a little bit. Normally I should make that kind of recovery.
I have got to win every speed race. I just have to rest up for next weekend. Right now, I’m definitely not feeling great.
Alex Hoedlmoser, Head Coach
We were actually in pretty good shape after the first run. Lindsey and Julia skied well and Mikaela did a really good job punching in there from a late bib number.
We wanted to attack and that's what they did. Mikaela had a huge mistake and just slid out. Lindsey was over nine-tenths ahead on that split right before she made that huge mistake. But if you want to be on the podium you have to full on gun it. Our athletes weren't in this just to finish the race. They want to make a statement.
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