ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP, SOELDEN, Austria – If athletes were racing side-by-side in the first run of the men’s World Cup opening giant slalom on Sunday, a photo finish wouldn’t have been able to determine the margin between the fastest racers.

France's Cyprien Richard passes a gate on his way to set the fastest time during the first run of an alpine ski men's World Cup giant slalom race in Soelden, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

France’s Cyprien Richard, however, is officially the guy standing in the leader’s box. The 30-year-old who has only ever had two World Cup podiums put down an astonishingly fast first run, finishing in 1 minute 10.56 seconds, just 0.02 seconds faster than American GS champ Ted Ligety, who is standing in second place. Keeping the competition extra tight, Austria’s Phillip Schoerghofer and Italy’s Davide Simoncelli are tied for third, just 0.03 seconds back.

Ted Ligety of The United States passes a gate on his way to set the second fastest time during the first run of an alpine ski men's World Cup giant slalom race in Soelden, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

The within-one-second club also includes Austria’s Marcel Hirscher, who is standing in fourth place, 0.13 seconds off the lead time, Norway’s Kjetil Jansrud and Aksel Lund Svindal, 0.15 seconds and 0.39 seconds back, respectively, and also Austrian Romed Baumann in eighth, 0.74 seconds back.

Kalle Palander made an impressive return to racing after a two-season hiatus and stands in 11th place with 1.30 seconds to make up in the second run. Not far behind is a seemingly very healthy Jean-Baptiste Grange, 1.45 seconds off the lead pace and standing 15th.

Most of the first run took place in grey light and a thick fog is setting in at Soelden as the second run – scheduled for 1 p.m. local time – draws nearer.

FISalpine.com
Sunday 24 October 2010

Ted Ligety of U.S. speeds down the course during the first run of an alpine ski men's World Cup giant slalom race race in Soelden, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Keystone, Alessandro Della Bella)

Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal passes a gate during the first run of an alpine ski men's World Cup giant slalom race in Soelden, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Bode Miller of The United States speeds down the course during the first run of an alpine ski men's World Cup giant slalom race in Soelden, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Armando Trovati)

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