By USSA

ADELBODEN, Switzerland — A stroke of bad luck zapped Ted Ligety (Park City) Saturday as the four-time Audi FIS Alpine World Cup giant slalom champ crashed midway through the final run. Ligety, who was third after the opening run, was poised for the podium when his left ski skipped off the snow at the instant he was turning sending it flying and Ligety spinning down the course. The rare crash opened the door for good friend Felix Neureuther of Germany to capture his second straight World Cup win and the first giant slalom victory for Germany since 1973.

Tim Jitloff (Reno) posted the best American finish with 24th.

Temperatures in the mid 40’s caused the course to deteriorate rapidly in both runs allowing large bumpy ruts to form around the sharper turning gates.

Thomas Fanara of France was second ahead of World Cup giant slalom leader Marcel Hirscher of Austria, who now edges Ligety in the discipline points by 120 points.