Where to Ski And Snowboard - Gap closes on World Cup titles

Gap closes on World Cup titles

12th March 2010, by Chris Gill

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The Alpine World Cup final races are being decided in Garmisch-Partenkirchen this weekend, and the gap for the overall titles has narrowed in both the women’s and men’s events.

American Lyndsey Vonn’s crash in the women’s giant slalom competition has allowed the German skier Maria Riesch to close Vonn’s overall lead to just 165 points. Each of the two remaining races are worth 100 points to the winner, so there is still a slim possibility that Riesch could snatch the title from Vonn.

Vonn crashed out on her first run in the giant slalom, but insists she will compete in Friday’s super-G to try and secure those points. Individually, she has already claimed the overall downhill, super-combined and super-G titles for the 2010 series.

Slovenia’s Tina Maze eventually won the giant slalom, with Kathrin Hoelzl in second and Maria Riesch in third.

In the men’s races, Carlo Janka’s lead over Benjamin Raich for the overall title has also narrowed when Janka finished in 11th position in the super-G – Raich finished 6th. And with Raich a stronger contender for the slalom races, Janka would have to perform exceptionally well to retain his lead.

Erik Guay of Canada, who did not perform so well in his home country’s Olympics, won the super-G in Garmisch and was delighted. It was a close-fought race, but Guay overtook Walchofer and Svindal to claim the win.