Lenzerheide, Switzerland – Croatian Ivica Kostelic finished 18th in a severely foggy slalom at the World Cup Finals in Switzerland on Saturday, but earned the slalom title as his closest challenger Jean-Baptiste Grange of France went out in the first run. Prior to World Cup Finals, Kostelic has also clinched the overall and super combined titles.nGiuliano Razzoli of Italy took the win Saturday, with a combined time of 1:25.72, ahead of Austria’s Mario Matt (1:25.75) and Felix Neureuther, of Germany (1:25.97).
Ted Ligety, of Park City, Utah, closed out his season in 12th, with teammate Nolan Kasper, of Warren, Vt., 15th. The result landed Ligety ninth in the overall standings for his fourth consecutive year in the top 10. Kasper earned a spot at World Cup Finals with a slalom podium just two weeks ago and closed the season as the top American in the slalom standings with 17th.
“The fog today was insane, luckily in slalom you only need to see a few meters in front of you,” Kasper said. “The snow was fine and it was good to get out and close the year with two more World Cup runs.
“It was a solid season,” he added. “The podium in Kranjska Gora was awesome and closing it out here with a few points is good. Plus I was able to lock the Europa Cup slalom title. I’m not sure if an American has ever done that. It’s also cool to know that I can compete with any of these guys when I’m skiing well.”
“Nolan started the season ranked 64th in slalom and for him to end the season 17th was tremendous,” added Sasha Rearick, head coach of the men’s U.S. Ski Team. “He fought hard all the way through the winter and did everything he could to find speed.”
Canada’s Michael Janyk put it all on the line Saturday, laying down the fastest second run of the day and securing his fourth top-five finish of the year.
“I’m happy to come away with a fifth. Another close one,” said Janyk, of Whistler, British Columbia. “The conditions were not optimal. I went out with a plan in the first run and got bounced around a lot but I really adapted and made the necessary changes in the second run.”
Saturday’s race closed the 2010-11 World Cup season for the U.S. Ski Team. Although the Nations Team Event formally ended the season Sunday, the U.S. Ski Team did not compete.
Final World Cup Slalom Standings
1. Ivica Kostelic, Croatia, 478
2. Jean-Baptiste Grange, France, 442
3. Andre Myhrer, Sweden, 423
Final World Cup Overall Standings
1. Ivica Kostelic, Croatia, 1356
2. Didier Cuche, Switzerland, 956
3. Carlo Janka, Switzerland, 793