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Paerson Back on Top Maribor, Slovenia — January 23, 2005
Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO) finished fourth and Kristina Koznick (Eagan, MN) was fifth Sunday as five U.S. women cracked the top 20 in the final World Cup slalom before the World Championships begin later this week in Bormio and Santa Caterina, Italy. Anja Paerson of Sweden won her first slalom of the season.
Paerson, the defending World Cup overall, SL and giant slalom champion but struggling this winter, had a two-run time of 1:32.38 to top Janica Kostelic of Croatia (1:32.66). Schleper, third in the first run, finished in 1:33.13 and Koznick was fifth in 1:33.15.
In addition, Lindsey Kildow (Vail, CO) moved up eight spots with the third-fastest second run and was 11th in 1:33.99. Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY) was 16th and Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) 17th. "The girls are skiing very confidently, very consistently," Head Coach Patrick Riml said. "They know they're fast and pretty consistent, and going into Worlds, they're right on track. They were attacking on the second run, the way we wanted and everyone held or improved on her position... "Sarah skied well at the bottom of the final run and she's skiing fast, and a little more training really should boost her even more. 'Koz' was very consistent again, too. And Lindsey," Riml said, "is obviously skiing with a lot of confidence; this was her best result in slalom...and confidence just brings more confidence." The World Alpine Ski Championships begin Saturday with men's super G in Bormio; the first women's race is Jan. 30 in Santa Caterina. WOMEN'S ALPINE WORLD CUP Maribor, SLO - Jan. 23, 2005 Women's Slalom
1. Anja Paerson, Sweden, 1:32.38
11. Lindsey Kildow, Vail, Colo., 1:33.99
Did not qualify for 2nd run:
DNF-1:
— Courtesy of US Ski Team |
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