Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic – American ski racer Lindsey Vonn moved within 23 points of the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup overall lead Saturday as leader Maria Riesch of Germany failed to finish the second run of a slalom contest in the Czech Republic.nVail, Colo.’s Vonn, who earned the first giant slalom podium of her career Friday and has already secured the super combined, downhill and super G titles, tied for 16th on the day. Recently crowned slalom World Champion Marlies Schild of Austria continued her storybook season with her sixth slalom win to lock the discipline title.
“I honestly never expected this to happen,” admitted Vonn, who has recovered from a nearly 200-point deficit to Riesch after World Cup races last month in Are, Sweden. “I was hoping to stay as close to Maria as possible, but to make up as many points as I did this weekend was definitely above my expectations. It just goes to show that anything can happen in ski racing.
“The second run really didn’t go as well I’d hoped, but it was a really tough course,” Vonn added. “I got some points and some confidence and all-in-all it was a fantastic weekend.”
“We were hoping that the full program that Maria did was going to take its toll on her body and her mind towards the end of the season,” explained Alex Hoedlmoser, the U.S. Ski Team’s women’s head coach. “She’s showing some nerves and it’s reflecting in her confidence, but right now Lindsey is incredibly confident. We’re hoping to keep the momentum going and see what the outcome is.”
Vail, Colo.’s Sarah Schleper was 11th in Saturday’s slalom and Resi Stiegler, of Jackson Hole, Wyo., earned a season-best 15th.
“Sarah showed two solid runs today and if you look at the time differences between the girls around Sarah, it was a really tight race and with Resi, we can see her speed is back,” Hoedlmoser said. “Obviously the consistency can’t always be there after such a long break from racing, but she’s wicked fast and she can really look forward to next season.”
Fifteen-year-old Mikaela Shiffrin of East Burke, Vt., racing in her first World Cups, didn’t qualify for a first run.
“It was a good experience for Mikaela and I’m glad we brought her over,” Hoedlmoser said. “She handled everything really well and did a great job. She had a big mistake right before the finish and still almost qualified. We know she has the speed to qualify and with another prep period, she’s going to be good.”
The women’s alpine skiing World Cup tour now moves to Lenzerheide, Switzerland for the final four individual races of the 2011 season.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup
Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic – March 12, 2011
Slalom
1. Marlies Schild, Austria, 1:43.85
2. Kathrin Zettel, Austria, 1:44.78
3. Tina Maze, Slovenia, 1:45.01