Schladming: Moelgg leads after first run; Ligety, Cochran advance

Manfred Moelgg of Italy led a men's World Cup night slalom after a first leg Tuesday staged in poor conditions.
    The 25-year-old Moelgg had a near-flawless run to finish in 50.21 seconds on the Planai course, one of the steepest slalom slopes on the circuit, which was weakened due to continual rain since late Monday.
    Mario Matt of Austria was second, 0.08 seconds behind, and Jean-Baptiste Grange, who won a slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, last Sunday, was 0.66 seconds back in third place.
    Two Americans, Ted Ligety (11th place) and Jimmy Cochran (13th), qualified for a second run. Bode Miller was out early in his run after losing balance and missing a gate.

SCHLADMING, Austria — Manfred Moelgg of Italy led a men's World Cup night slalom after a first leg Tuesday staged in poor conditions.
    The 25-year-old Moelgg had a near-flawless run to finish in 50.21 seconds on the Planai course, one of the steepest slalom slopes on the circuit, which was weakened due to continual rain since late Monday.
    Mario Matt of Austria was second, 0.08 seconds behind, and Jean-Baptiste Grange, who won a slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, last Sunday, was 0.66 seconds back in third place.
    Two Americans, Ted Ligety (11th place) and Jimmy Cochran (13th), qualified for a second run. Bode Miller was out early in his run after losing balance and missing a gate.
    Overall World Cup leader Benjamin Raich is 0.93 seconds behind after a disappointing first run.
    Ligety lost considerable time after losing control of a ski but had a strong finish, 1.43 seconds behind Moelgg.
    ''These are not fair conditions for late starters, every turn is a hole in the weak snow, and it becomes even worse after every racer,'' Ligety said.
    Jens Byggmark, who bruised his hand in Monday's training, took risks and crashed halfway down the course.

    — The Associated Press