MARIBOR, Slovenia — Nicole Hosp won a World Cup slalom race today for her 11th career victory.
The 24-year-old Austrian, who led after the first leg, finished in poor weather conditions on the Radvanje course in a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 40.55 seconds, and extended her lead in the discipline and overall rankings.

Veronika Zuzulova of Slovakia took second, 0.46 behind Hosp, to match her career best result. Marlies Schild of Austria posted the fastest time in the second leg and finished third.

American Lindsey Vonn was 17th and teammate Julia Mancuso was 24th.

"It was really tough today. The snow was not good but organizers did their best. I am happy with both my runs," said Hosp, who claimed her second slalom win of the season after winning in December in Aspen, Colo.

Hosp leads the overall standings with 699 points, Schild and Maria Riesch share second with 574, while Vonn is fourth with 538.

Hosp opted for a tactical race in the second leg, in which she had the fifth-fastest time.

"I avoided any risks in the upper part and went full speed in the lower part," said Hosp, who got daily treatment on a bruised left foot since Thursday.

Hosp, the defending overall World Cup champion, refused to speculate about winning the crystal globe again this season.

"It's much too early for that. We still have two months of races ahead of us, so it would be premature to say anything about it," Hosp said.

Schild had a flawless second run after a poor opening leg.

"After such a first run, I can only be happy with the final result," Schild said. "I skied as fast as I possibly could in the second."

Slalom world champion Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic was fourth, 1.10 seconds behind Hosp.

Finland's Tanja Poutiainen, fifth overall, was third after the opening leg but lost two places after a disappointing second run, ultimately trailing Hosp by 1.31 seconds.

The snow on the course was soft because of high temperatures all week and rain on Sunday morning. FIS officials had the course partly fortified before the start of the slalom race.

By ERIC WILLEMSEN
Associated Press Writer
13.01.2008

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