Schild leads World Cup slalom after first run; Vonn 2.45 seconds back despite injured arm

Schild leads WCup slalom after first run

LIENZ, Austria — Marlies Schild of Austria had a commanding lead after the opening run of a women’s World Cup slalom Tuesday, while American star Lindsey Vonn struggled one day after bruising her arm in a crash.

Schild finished in 59.00 seconds after a flawless run on the partly icy Schlossberg course, putting her in position for her first World Cup win since breaking a leg prior to last season.

“It’s a great run. This was the first time I felt really well again during the race,” she said. “It was very difficult, but I’ve been lucky to get an early start.”

Kathrin Zettel of Austria was 1.02 seconds back in second place, while Tanja Poutiainen of Finland was third with 1.04 seconds to make up.

Vonn was 2.45 seconds behind Schild, skiing with a brace on her bruised lower left arm. The overall World Cup champion said she felt “a lot of pain” but never considered skipping the race.

“I wanted to fight,” Vonn said. “If there is any way I can ski, I will race.”

Vonn didn’t make any obvious mistakes, but was well behind Schild from the start of her run.

“Sure it wasn’t my best. I did what I could,” Vonn said. “I am wearing a brace. It protects but it’s not really helping. My arm hurts a lot. Everytime I hit a gate it was really painful in my wrist. My ribs, my side, pretty much my whole left side hurts a bit.”

Vonn skied the final part of last season with a protective covering on her right thumb after cutting a tendon on a broken champagne bottle in Val d’Isere in February.

“This is like the world championships Part II,” Vonn said. “Though my arm now hurts more than my thumb did last year.”

World slalom champion Maria Riesch finished 1.58 seconds behind Schild. Nicole Gius of Italy was the fastest starter and led Schild by 0.01 at the first intermediate time, but wasn’t clean on the middle section of the course and finished 1.47 seconds behind the Austrian.

Italy’s Chiara Costazza, who won the Lienz slalom two years ago, lost her balance and went out at the fourth gate.