U.S. women disappoint in World Cup

By USSA

MARIBOR, Slovenia — Austria’s Kathrin Zettel won for the second consecutive day as the U.S. Ski Team was unable to land a finalist in Sunday’s Audi FIS Alpine World Cup slalom in Maribor, Slovenia.

“Today was just a tough day all around,” said U.S. women’s head coach Jim Tracy. “They were out there competing and it just didn’t happen.”

Zettel trailed compatriot Marlies Schild by more than a second after the first run, but Schild skied out to meet the same fate as Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA), Megan McJames (Park City, UT) and Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO).

“The conditions were pretty tough, but it’s an outdoor sport,” Tracy said. “We just didn’t get it done today.”

Two-time defending overall champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) lost her World Cup overall lead with an uncharacteristically slow run, while rival and friend Maria Riesch of Germany gained a 28-point advantage by taking third behind Slovenia’s Tina Maze.

The U.S. women now move into two consecutive weeks with speed events in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy and St. Moritz, Switzerland with Vonn currently leading the World Cup downhill, super G and super combined standings.

The only remaining technical event before the Olympic selection is a giant slalom Jan. 24 in Cortina.

Maribor, Slovenia, Jan. 17, Women’s Slalom

1. Kathrin Zettel, Austria, 1:42.98

2. Tina Maze, Slovenia, 1:43.69

3. Maria Riesch, Germany, 1:44.26

4. Susanne Riesch, Germany, 1:44.34

5. Sandrine Aubert, France, 1:44.70

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DNQ: Kaylin Richardson, Edina, MN; Kiley Staples, Park City, UT; Sterling Grant, Amery, WI; Hailey Duke, Boise, ID; Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO

DNF1: Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA; Megan McJames, Park City, UT; Sarah Schleper, Vail, CO