Calif. Skier Wins Europe Cup Slalom

PILA, Italy — Robert Ormsby of Tahoe City, Calif., defeated several World Cup rivals in winning a European Cup slalom race today.

Ormsby capitalized on the fastest first heat to compile an aggregate winning time of 1 minute, 27.26 seconds.

The American, who has never won a World Cup race, clocked heat times of 44.36 and 42.90 seconds.

Sweden’s Lars Goran Halvarsson skied the fastest second run in 41.96 seconds after a disappointing first heat and finished second overall in 1:27.37.

Race on Artificial Snow

Didier Bouvet of France edged Swede Mats Ericson for third place with a time of 1:27.46.

The race was held on a course made with artificial snow as most north Italian ski resorts are struggling with lack of snow after an unusual dry spell.

Another slalom will be run here Tuesday.

The European Cup events in Pila were entered by several World Cup skiers in preparation for the next slalom races of the World Cup Alpine competition scheduled in Kitzbuhel, Austria over the coming weekend.