Monday, March 2, 2009

U.S. skier retains title in World Cup giant slalom

U.S. skier Ted Ligety successfully defended his title on Saturday in the World Cup giant slalom meet in Slovenia's Kranjska Gora.

The 24-year-old defending champion clocked a time of two minutes and 19.92 seconds after two runs to prove unbeatable for first-run leader Didier Cuche of Switzerland, who finished the race 0.19 seconds behind him, the Slovenia news agency STA reported.

Ligety produced an attacking second run to rise from third to first place in a repeat of last year's winning performance. It is his fourth career victory, and the first this season.

Massimiliano Blardone of Italy dropped from second to third in the second run, finishing 0.34 seconds behind Ligety.

The venue in Kranjska Gora is my favorite in the World Cup, only Alta Baldia comes close, Ligety said after the event on Saturday.

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