Hinterstoder, Austria – Austria’s Philipp Schoerghofer won Sunday’s World Cup giant slalom in Hinterstoder, the final Audi FIS Alpine World Cup prior to the start of the Alpine World Championships this week in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Park City, Utah’s Ted Ligety, who captured the first three giant slalom victories of the season, finished 13th, yet retained the discipline lead. Four-time World Champion Bode Miller, of Franconia, N.H., produced the fastest second run time to finish ninth.n”That was inspiring skiing. It was fun to see Bode on a turny course like that just chuck himself down the hill and ski aggressive,” said U.S. Ski Team men’s Head Coach, Sasha Rearick. “Bode is finding his gear and putting in the type of inspiring skiing which is fun for us to watch and for him to throw down. We’re looking forward to going to World Champs.”

Ligety, however, simply didn’t deliver on Sunday. “Ted didn’t have the day he wanted by any means. He skied the top on the first run fantastic. The second run he wasn’t putting down the hill like he can,” Rearick acknowledged.

Tommy Ford, of Bend, Ore., finished the day with a respectable 18th place result, while Warner Nickerson, of Guilford, N.H., rounded out the American results in 26th. Reno, Nev.’s Tim Jitloff), Tommy Biesemeyer of Keene, N.Y., and Vermont’s Nolan Kasper all failed to finish the first run.

“It was a great day for Tommy Ford with his first time in the GS points this year and Warner Nickerson also did a great job making the cut for the second time this season,” Rearick explained.

No Canadian men entered Sunday’s giant slalom.

The FIS Alpine World Championships get underway in Garmisch-Partenkirchen Tuesday with the women’s super G. The men will first enter the starting gate with super G on Wednesday.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup
Hinterstoder, Austria – February 6, 2011
Giant Slalom

1. Philipp Shoerghofer, Austria, 2:46.44
2. Kjetil Jansrud, Norway, 2:46.61
3. Carlo Janka, Switzerland, 2:46.64