WCSN offers same-day coverage from WC Finals

World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) will provide same-day coverage this week as the title chase for ski racing's Audi FIS Alpine World Cup goes down to the wire. Americans Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller are in the lead in the overall, and Ted Ligety is on top in giant slalom. Titles will be determined over a series of races March 12-16 in Bormio, Italy.
BORMIO, Italy — World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) will provide same-day coverage this week as the title chase for ski racing's Audi FIS Alpine World Cup goes down to the wire. Americans Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller are in the lead in the overall, and Ted Ligety is on top in giant slalom. Titles will be determined over a series of races March 12-16 in Bormio, Italy.
    Coverage begins at 8 a.m. ET daily beginning Wednesday, March 12, with the final World Cup downhills, and continuing through Sunday's final team event.
    Vonn is pitted in a close battle with German Maria Riesch and defending champion Nicole Hosp of Switzerland, with a 150-point lead over Riesch going into the Finals. Miller, meanwhile, enjoys a 169-point margin over Swiss Didier Cuche, and 267 back to Austria's Benni Raich, who will be his toughest challenger.
    Vonn has already clinched the women's downhill title and will receive her crystal globe Wednesday evening. Miller, meanwhile, tightened the men's downhill race with a win in Kvitfjell, Norway, 10 days ago. He's only five points behind leader Cuche. Miller has a strong record on the fabled Stelvio course, winning the World Cup downhill in December and sweeping the downhill and super G gold at the 2005 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships. It will be the first time on the Bormio speed courses for the women.
    With 100 points at stake in each race, Miller could knock Raich out of contention in the opening downhill. For example, a win by Miller and third or lower for Raich would eliminate the Austrian from the overall title. Cuche, while closer, is also not expected to compete in the slalom, narrowing his chances for passing Miller.
    Friday's (March 14) showdown in the men's giant slalom finals will pit Ligety against Raich, with Italy's Manfred Moelgg just 11 points behind Raich. Ligety put himself back into the lead Saturday with a win in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. He holds a 27-point lead over Raich. A second place or better will win the title for the Olympic combined champion Ligety.
    Vonn, meanwhile, will face her toughest event in the Friday women's slalom finale. Her strategy will have been to build enough of a lead in the downhill and super G, then hold on for a top-15 finish. Only those top-15 finishers receive World Cup points in the Finals. Austrians Marlies Schild and Hosp are battling for the title – presently the only one of 12 title chases where an Austrian leads.
    The women wrap up with a giant slalom on Saturday (March 15). Italy's Denise Karbon has already clinched the title, but the U.S. Ski Team's Mancuso has a shot at moving up from fourth to third. The men close out with a slalom, where Italian Manfred Moelgg moved into a slim lead last weekend.
    WCSN's coverage will feature live commentary from former U.S. Ski Team racer Steve Porino. A complete schedule of same day coverage is available at WCSN.com. WCSN is also available in selected cable television markets across the USA.
    The races are all covered by WCSN's $4.95 monthly subscription fee.