Austrian skier Kathrin Zettel puts Olympics first, skips final WCup race before Vancouver

Zettel skips WCup race to prepare for Olympics

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland — Kathrin Zettel of Austria will skip the World Cup ski race this weekend to prepare for the Olympics.

Zettel said Tuesday she needs rest to be ready for the Vancouver Games that begin Feb. 12.

The world champion in super-combined was expected to compete in that event Friday in St. Moritz, Switzerland — the last World Cup meet before the games.

Zettel is third in the overall World Cup standings, trailing two-time champion Lindsey Vonn of the United States and Maria Riesch of Germany.

Zettel mentioned her heavy race schedule last weekend when she failed to score any points in Italy. She was 38th in a super-G race and crashed in the giant slalom after being fastest in the first run.