Fenninger leads after first run of GS

By Published On: February 12th, 2015Comments Off on Fenninger leads after first run of GS

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. – Anna Fenninger skied an aggressive, clean run to lead the way after run one of giant slalom at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek. Michaela Kirchgasser, skiing from bib 19, sits in a surprising second place, 0.81 seconds behind. Last year’s champion on the Bird’s of Prey Course, Jessica Lindell-Vikarby is third, 0.90 seconds back.

“I feel really good. I was happy with my run; I just tried to let the skis go, didn’t think so much, and felt really good,” said Vikarby.

Tina Maze, who has won a medal in every event contested so far, finds herself with time to make up to continue the streak. She finished with the fourth fastest time, 1.10 seconds behind Fenninger. Many of the remaining top-10 finishers were a bit of a surprise. Tina Weirather, who has struggled in GS this season sits in fifth, Nina Loeseth is sixth, followed by Taina Barioz who started with bib 29 and Marta Bassino who started bib 27. Maria Pietilae-Holmner and the winner of the final GS before these championships, Sara Hector, rounded out the top 10.

Hometown favorites Mikaela Shiffrin and Linsdey Vonn both ran into some problems. Shiffrin started early and clearly overskied the course and now trails Fenninger by 1.72 seconds. Vonn, who is starting her first GS race since a victory in Maribor in January of 2013, threw her skis sideways briefly and will be the fourth starter out of the gate on run two after finishing 27th, 2.67 seconds back. Julia Mancuso will also have an early start number on run two after finishing 29th.

“I just started kind of chundering, and I couldn’t stop the ski from going away from me. I pretty much stopped,” admitted Vonn. “I don’t know, I was hoping for something special today again, but these World Championships just haven’t really gone the way I had always hoped and dreamed that they would. But I fought my way down, I never gave up, and I’m still in it for a second run.”

Second run will begin at 2:15 p.m. MT.

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About the Author: Jessica Kelley

A 10-year veteran of the U.S. Ski Team, Kelley collected three NorAm titles, won GS silver at the 2002 World Junior Championships, and was a member of the 2007 World Championships team during her professional career. She resides in Park City, Utah, with her husband, Adam Cole.