Zettel leads Vonn, Paerson after 1st run of World Cup giant slalom

Zettel ahead of Vonn after 1st run of GS

MARIBOR, Slovenia — Kathrin Zettel of Austria was slightly ahead of Lindsey Vonn of the United States after the opening run in a women’s World Cup giant slalom Saturday.

Zettel finished the Pohorje 2 course in 1 minute, 17.54 seconds to lead defending overall champion Vonn by 0.54 seconds. Anja Paerson of Sweden was another 0.01 back in third.

Vonn was in position for her best GS result ever. She finished fourth in Aspen, Colo., in November 2008 but has never been on the podium in giant slalom — the only discipline where she lacks a World Cup victory.

“I have been training well in the last couple of days,” Vonn said. “I think I have done well in GS before but I just didn’t finish. Today was just a lot of fun and I did a good job.”

Vonn’s main competitor for this season’s overall title, Maria Riesch of Germany, was 0.68 behind in fourth place.

“I am still lacking consistency and self-confidence in giant slalom,” Riesch said. “Self-confidence only comes with good results.”

Vonn, Paerson and Riesch all were faster than Zettel in the flat first section, but lost time in the steeper second part of the course.

“My first run was almost perfect,” Zettel said. “I had a great feeling going down there and my skis were really fast.”

Zettel has won six World Cup titles — all in giant slalom. This season, she has finished on the podium seven times but has yet to win a race.

World GS champion Kathrin Hoelzl, who leads the discipline standings, has 0.79 to make up in the second run.

“I am satisfied. I fully attacked and it worked out well for me,” Hoelzl said. “I don’t know where I lost these 0.8 seconds.”