Semmering: Zettel is one to watch

The racer to watch out for Sunday as the women’s World Cup moves to the giant slalom course in Semmering, Austria, is the country’s own Kathrin Zettel.

Zettel won the race the last time it was run on the course two seasons ago and finished second in slalom. Plus, she hasn’t exactly been out of the picture this season. She won the opening GS on home turf in Soelden, then finished third in La Molina and fifth in Aspen.

You know how the Austrians love to glow at home (and everywhere else).

Zettel is holding strong in second in the World Cup GS standings with 145 points to date, behind another force to watch on the Semmering course, Finland’s Tanja Poutiainen, who leads with a strong 260 points. France’s Tessa Worley isn’t far behind in third with 132 points, while World Cup overall leader Lindsey Vonn stands ninth in slalom with 79 points.The racer to watch out for Sunday as the women’s World Cup moves to the giant slalom course in Semmering, Austria, is the country’s own Kathrin Zettel.

Zettel won the race the last time it was here two seasons ago and finished second in slalom. Plus, she hasn’t exactly been out of the picture this season. She won the opening GS on home turf in Soelden, then finished third in La Molina and fifth in Aspen.

You know how the Austrians love to glow at home (and everywhere else).

Zettel is holding strong in second in the World Cup GS standings with 145 points to date, behind another force to watch on the Semmering course, Finland’s Tanja Poutiainen, who leads with a strong 260 points. France’s Tessa Worley isn’t far behind in third with 132 points, while World Cup overall leader Lindsey Vonn stands ninth in slalom with 79 points.

Don’t forget, though, that Vonn also leads the slalom circuit with 230 points, followed by her friend Maria Riesch (200) and Czech tech master Sarka Zahrobska (179).

Though the weather has been cloudy and overcast, and the area has seen enough new snow to accumulate a 90-centimeter snow base under the Semmering course, the forecast is calling for sun for Sunday’s GS and Monday’s slalom.

Watch the action live on Universal Sports. Giant slalom run No. 1 begins at 4:30 a.m. Sunday EST and run No. 2 at 7:30 a.m.