Garmisch: Zettel leads after first heat of slalom

Kathrin Zettel took the first run of the women’s World Cup slalom at Garmisch, Germany Friday, posting a healthy .67 of a second margin over Austrian teammate Michaela Kirchgasser. American Lindsey Vonn sits third .75 back.Kathrin Zettel took the first run of the women’s World Cup slalom at Garmisch, Germany Friday, posting a healthy .67 of a second margin over Austrian teammate Michaela Kirchgasser. American Lindsey Vonn sits third .75 back.

Vonn seemed to grow stronger and faster as she moved down the course.  At the first interval  on the steep upper section she was well back of Zettel but made up time on the flatter bottom third of the pitch.

Ana Jelusic of Croatia is fourth and Czech Sarka Zahrobska fifth while hometown racer Maria Riesch holds sixth.

Riesch and Vonn are continuing a season long battle for supremacy on the World Cup standings. Currently Vonn holds a 104pt lead for the overall standings, but Riesch leads the slalom standings by 160 with two races remaining after this one today.

Hailey Duke of the U.S. holds eighth place. Canadian Anna Goodman was the only other North American to make the cut for the second run in 22nd.

The German team took full advantage of racing at home as six members, including Riesch’s younger sister, Susanne, earned a second trip to the start.

STARTLIST SECOND RUN