Finn Tanja Poutiainen took the first-run lead Sunday in a World Cup slalom and powered her way to her third win of the season - by three-hundredths of a second. Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO) had a strong second run and moved up to seventh place with Kristina Koznick (Eagan, MN) in 10th and Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY) 12th.

Poutiainen, who won giant slalom and a slalom two weeks ago during the Aspen (CO) Winternational, finished in 1:39.88 to edge Marlies Schild of Austria (1:39.91). Croatian Janica Kostelic was third.

Schleper's time was 1:41.76 with Koznick clocked in 1:42.19 and Stiegler down in 1:42.32.

"Conditions were great," said Head Coach Patrick Riml, "and it was tight. I was especially pleased with Sarah because she hasn't trained very much slalom in the last couple of months because of her back problem, but she was solid today. She skied well at the top of her second run and took it down the course, so she should be happy with that."

Koznick was sixth in the first run but a couple of bobbles cost her during the final run while Stiegler "was solid all the way, too. They've all got more to give, but this was a good day."

The next women's races are back-to-back downhills Saturday at Sunday in Val d'Isere, France.

WOMEN'S ALPINE WORLD CUP
Zauchenee Course
Altenmarkt, AUT - Dec. 12, 2004
Women's Slalom

1. Tanja Poutiainen, Finland, 1:39.88
2. Marlies Schild, Austria, 1:39.91
3. Janica Kostelic, Croatia, 1:40.53
4. Anja Paerson, Sweden, 1:40.94
5. Elisabeth Goergl, Austria, 1:41.22

7. Sarah Schleper, Vail, Colo., 1:41.76
10. Kristina Koznick, Eagan, Minn., 1:42.19
12. Resi Stiegler, Jackson Hole, Wyo., 1:42.32

— Courtesy of US Ski Team