World Cup Skiing : Switzerland’s Figini Wins in Downhill

Defending World Cup champion Michela Figini of Switzerland, overcoming some mistakes at the top of the course, skied through a steady snowfall to a convincing win Friday in the first women’s downhill race of the season.

Figini, 22, posted her 20th World Cup victory, and 11th in the downhill, over the Oreiller-Killy course in 1 minute 11.58 seconds.

Regine Moesenlechner and Michaela Gerg, both of West Germany, were next in 1:11.79 and 1:11.84.

Pam Fletcher had the fastest U.S. time, 1:13.73, for 25th place.

“I was worried about everyone who made good practice times, especially Gerg, (Carole) Merle and (Heidi) Zurbriggen,” Figini said.

Both Gerg and Merle, of France, were clocked in 42.52 seconds at the intermediate point, faster than Figini’s 42.69. But the Swiss woman had the better finish.

Zurbriggen, also of Switzerland, finished seventh.

Merle, who was fourth in 1:11.86, took the World Cup overall lead with 37 points after 3 races. Moesenlechner, and Austrians Ulrike Maier and Anita Wachter are tied for second with 35 points apiece, followed by Figini with 34.