Tessa Worley of France sets fastest time in 1st run of women’s giant slalom; Vonn skies out

Worley leads women’s GS after 1st run in Are

ARE, Sweden — Tessa Worley of France held a commanding lead after the first run of a World Cup giant slalom Saturday as several of the big names faltered.

Worley put down a smooth and consistent run, maintaining her speed in the flat middle portion of the Olympia course better than any of her rivals to finish in 1 minute, 10.55 seconds. She was 0.81 seconds ahead of Tina Maze of Slovenia and Kathrin Zettel of Austria, who were tied for second.

Overall World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn skied out shortly after the start after coming late into a right turn and losing control of her skis. The American has yet to finish on the podium in a giant slalom — the only discipline where she lacks a World Cup victory.

Maria Riesch of Germany, who trails Vonn by 27 points in the overall standings, was fourth after the first run and in good position to overtake the American. Riesch was 1.18 seconds behind Worley, while Maria Pietila-Holmner of Sweden was another 0.23 seconds back in fifth.

Olympic giant slalom champion Julia Mancuso of the United States was in 12th place, with 2.2 seconds to make up.

Sweden’s Anja Paerson, a two-time giant slalom world champion, had a poor run and was 2.30 seconds back in 13th place. Paerson was hoping for a return to form on the same hill where she won three world championship titles in 2007, but looked unlikely to secure her first podium finish of the season.

Worley’s only previous World Cup win came in a giant slalom last year.