ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP. LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland –Mario Matt did the best job of fighting through the thick fog and spring snow conditions in the first run of the men’s final World Cup slalom race in Lenzerheide on Saturday.

The Austrian who won the previous two slalom races in Kranjska Gora and Bansko leads after putting down a first run in 41.27 seconds, although Germany’s Felix Neureuther is only 0.19 seconds back and Sweden’s Jens Byggmark and Manfred Moelgg are tied in third, 0.55 seconds back.

Jean-Baptiste Grange eliminated himself in the race toward the 2011 slalom title when he lost control at the top of the course and straddled a gate a bit further down.

Ivica Kostelic finished 13th in the first run and the only person who could unseat him for the slalom globe is Sweden’s Andre Myhrer, who is sixth after the first run with 0.66 seconds to make up. He would have to win the race and Kostelic would need to finish very poorly, however, as Kostelic currently leads the slalom standings with 478 points and Andre Myhrer is behind Grange with 383.

Second run kicks off at 12:30 in Lenzerheide.

FISalpine.com
Saturday 19 March 2011