Vonn beats Riesch for slalom win as Austrians falter

Lindsey VonnGarmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany - Lindsey Vonn of the United States ended Maria Riesch's World Cup slalom winning streak Friday, beating her German friend into second place on a day Austria met disaster.

The World Cup leader Vonn won from third place after the first run in a combined total of 1 minute 47.17 seconds for her fourth season victory and 17th overall.

Riesch, who had won the previous four slaloms but then failed to finish in three of the last four races overall, fought from sixth to second place in 1:48.07 in front of a delighted home crowd.

Marusa Ferk of Slovenia got her first career podium in third place with 1:48.33 minutes, up from 16th in the first run.

The changes at the top came as first-run leaders Kathrin Zettel and Michaela Kirchgasser of Austria met disaster when it mattered. Kirchgasser crashed out and Zettel missed a gate after a major error.

"I was a little nervous but then risked more than in the previous (slalom) races. Today is a great day, I am happy to be on the podium with my good friend Maria," said Vonn.

Riesch said: "Of course I profited from the mishap of the Austrians, but I have also crashed in recent races. It wasn't perfect but the second run was okay. It is great to be in the podium in the home race."

The title holder Vonn stretched her lead at the top the World Cup standings with 1,014 points from 21 events. Riesch has 890 points, while Tezzel and Sweden's Anja Paerson (who went out in the first run) are on 775 each.

Riesch tops the slalom list with 580 points from seven races from Vonn (440) and world champion Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic (349).

The women's World Cup continues with a super-g in Garmisch on Saturday, the last race before the February 2-15 world championships in Val d'Isere, France. (dpa)

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