ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) - Anja Paerson of Sweden has won a World Cup super-combined event, and American Lindsey Vonn maintained her overall lead despite skiing off course in the slalom.

Paerson clocked 44.03 seconds in the slalom and was first in the super-G for a combined time of 1 minute, 41.87 seconds.

Nicole Hosp of Austria had the best slalom time to finish second, 1.12 seconds behind, climbing from 17th place after the super-G. Fabienne Suter of Switzerland was third in 1:43.47.

Defending overall champion Vonn was 14th in super-G but skied out early in the slalom.

“For me, the problem was not so much the light as that I overskied,” said Vonn of Park City, Utah after the super-G. “On this course you can definitely let it run. It was good information for the downhill and super-G this weekend.”

The American retains the World Cup lead with 438 points from nine events. Tanja Poutiainen of Finland, who was not competing Friday, has 400 points and third-placed German Maria Riesch improved to 378 with a fourth-place finish on the day.

The second practice session for Saturday’s downhill was canceled because of windy conditions, fog and steady snowfall.

A downhill is scheduled for Saturday and a super-g for Sunday in St Moritz.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
19.12.2008

Paerson fastest in super-G run cut short by winds

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) - Anja Paerson of Sweden posted the fastest time in the opening super-giant slalom leg of a World Cup super-combined skiing event Friday.

Paerson timed 57.84 seconds on a course that was shortened by almost a .62 miles because of strong winds higher up the Corviglia piste. Canada’s Emily Brydon was second fastest in 57.96 seconds and Tina Maze of Slovenia third in 58.14.

Leanne Smith of Conway, New Hampshire, was the fastest American in 4th place, with a time of 58.17.

Brydon said conditions were difficult because of crosswinds and poor visibility in fog and steady snowfall.

“It’s a mind game today,” Brydon said. “The snow is really good but you can’t really see. As soon as you get over the start it’s like a hurricane.

“It is easy to be tentative and wait for the course but you have to be aggressive.”

Chelsea Marshall of Pittsfield, Vermont, was 10th in 58.81.

World Cup overall leader and defending champion Lindsey Vonn of Park City, Utah, was 14th in 58.89.

“For me, the problem was not so much the light as that I overskied,” Vonn said. “On this course you can definitely let it run. It was good information for the downhill and super-G this weekend.”

Keely Kelleher of Big Sky, Montana, was .07 behind Vonn in 15th place. Julia Mancuso of Squaw Valley, California, was 29th in 59.57.

Austria’s Andrea Fischbacher crashed out halfway down when she caught a gate with her shoulder and head. She got to her feet and was led away after five minutes of treatment on the course.

The second leg of the super-combi, a slalom run, was being held later Friday.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
19.12.2008

Cortina to host downhill moved from Lake Louise

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) - A women’s downhill race that was canceled in Canada two weeks ago will be staged in Italy next month, the International Ski Federation said Friday.

Cortina d’Ampezzo will host two downhills, a super-G and a giant slalom from Jan. 22-25.

Two weeks ago, defending overall and downhill champion Lindsey Vonn won the first of two downhills scheduled at Lake Louise, Alberta. The second race was canceled because of bad weather.

Vonn and her American teammates have had good results in Cortina. Vonn won the only downhill raced at the Italian resort last season, while Julia Mancuso was second the previous year.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
19.12.2008