Tanja Poutiainen, the veteran of the Finnish Ski Team, collected the first win of the 2010 World Cup season by the narrowest of possible margins with an impressive come from behind second run. One large mistake from Austrian Kathrin Zettel gave Poutiainen just enough time to sneak away with the win by .01 of a second.

The Italians had controlled the first run but failed to keep up with the aggression of either Poutiainen or Zettel. Manuela Moelgg, second after the first heat, crashed off course in the second while first run leader Denise Karbon, a former winner here, struggled with the light as shadows covered the steep face of the Rettenbach Glacier.

Poutiainen said she had “two beautiful runs” in notching her ninth career World Cup win and her first at Soelden after having twice been the bridesmaid, last season and in October of 2004.

Two time Soelden winner Tina Maze of Slovenia moved up from seventh after the first run to finish fourth.

“I think Soelden has always been good for me,” said Poutiainen. “I know always that I can be happy here, and I’m really happy about this (win). But it was bumpy and  so you couldn’t really see where the bumps were.”

Zettel said she was glad to learn how she was skiing compared to the rest of the tour and said she hoped she’d be able to put this race behind her. She had been more than seven tenths ahead of the field when she scuffed a turn and only stayed on course with a remarkable effort.

It was an “okay” day for Lindsey Vonn. The defending World Cup champion finished ninth, matching her best result at the site. She has never placed better than a fourth in a giant slalom.

“I think I’ve made some progress with GS,” Vonn said. “You may not have seen it
today, but I’m training well,” Vonn said. “I just need to get some more miles on
the equipment. But I definitely haven’t lost anything. The equipment (Head) is
working very well and if anything I think I’m skiing much better.”

Julia Mancuso, 21st after the first run skied fast along the top third of the course, but got caught back and exited the course in the second run. “I just got back,” she said. “It’s always good to have the first one out of the way, but I’m excited to get to the rest of the races.”

Sarah Schleper just qualified for the second heat and got the first second heat run. She was disappointed with her run and finished in 24th, largely due to four DNF’s from other competitors. “I didn’t ski my best, and I made the mistake just coming off onto the flat. … I barely made that gate.”

The sad note of the day was a knee injury to Austrian star Nicole Hosp. She was just returning from a left knee injury that cost her the bulk of last season. Here she damaged her right knee. She will require surgery and is not expected to return this season.

GEPA Photo

The SCOOP
By Hank McKee

Women’s Giant Slalom, Soelden, Austria, Oct. 24, 2009
Equipment
Skier, skis/boots/bindings
1 Poutiainen, Volkl/Tecnica/Marker
2 Zettel, Atomic/Atomic/Atomic
3 Denise Karbon, Fischer/Fischer/Fischer
4 Maze, Stoeckli/Lange/Rossignol
5 Pietilae-Holmner, Rossignol/Rossignol/Rossignol
6 Paerson, Head/Head/Head
7 Hoelzl, Fischer/Fischer/Fischer
8 Rebensburg, Nordica/Nordica/Marker
9 Vonn, Head/Head/Head
10 Alfieri, Head/Lange/Tyrolia

Women’s Giant Slalom, Soelden, Austria, Oct 24, 2009. … It is the first race of the 2010 World Cup season, the first of 32 Women’s races and the first of seven women’s giant slaloms. … It is the 23rd World Cup race at the site, all of them giant slaloms held in October. . … It is the 13th women’s GS at Soelden.

It is the ninth career win for Tanja Poutiainen. … Her fourth in GS (the others all coming in slalom). … It is her first win at Soelden, having finished second twice previously (2004 and 2008). … It is the first Finnish win at the site.

It is the 24th career World Cup podium for Kathrin Zettel. … Her 12th in GS. … And her third straight season on the podium at Soelden. … She was the defending champion and now has placed on each step of a Soelden podium.

It is the 15th career World Cup podium for Denise Karbon all of them coming in GS and two at Soelden as she won the race Oct. 27, 2007.

Lindsey Vonn is the top North American in ninth place, matching her best mark at the site from last season.  … The result matches her seventh best career Cup GS finish of 15 total. … She has never made a World Cup GS podium. … It is the 92nd World Cup scoring result for Sarah Schleper. … It is her first scoring result since Dec. 14, 2008. … No other North Americans scored. … The Austrians had five scoring finishers, but also lost Nicole Hosp for the season to a right knee injury. … The French had five scoring finishers and the Italians four.

The results – Women’s Giant Slalom, Soelden, Austria, Oct. 24, 2009