Austrian Nierlich Wins Gold in Giant Slalom

Austria’s Rudolf Nierlich, with nearly a full second lead after the first run, cruised to the gold medal today in the men’s giant slalom at the World Alpine Ski Championships.

Only teammate Helmut Mayer and Italian Alberto Tomba were faster on the second run. Mayer, who jumped from 10th place and 2.07 seconds off Nierlich’s first-run time, won the silver. Switzerland’s Pirmin Zurbriggen won the bronze.

Nierlich, 22, had an aggregate time of 2 minutes, 37.66 seconds for a comfortable 1.62-second margin over Mayer. Thanks to a slashing, sizzling second run of 1:20.14, Mayer finished in 2:39.28. Zurbriggen was timed in 2:39.38.

Led in Initial Run

Nierlich, winner of two World Cup races this season, had led Switzerland’s Martin Hangl by 97-hundredths of a second in the initial run. Zurbriggen was another 29-hundredths back.

Hangl, gold medalist in the men’s super giant slalom Wednesday, was almost a second slower than Nierlich’s time in the second run over a long, 54-gate course.

Marc Girardelli of Luxembourg was fourth, Hangl was fifth, Ingemar Stenmark of Sweden finished sixth and Tomba was seventh. Tomba, one of the favorites, had an insurmountable 2.75 seconds to make up after losing an edge and nearly missing a gate on his first run.

Nierlich has enjoyed his best World Cup season with triumphs in a giant slalom at Kirchberg, Austria, on Jan. 10 and in a slalom at Wengen, Switzerland, on Jan. 22.

“I had two perfect runs,” Nierlich said. “I no problems at all. I wasn’t concerned about the long wait between runs. I didn’t hold back on the second run. I attacked throughout. I like this course a lot.”

In the first run of the giant slalom today, veteran Austrian skier Hans Enn reinjured his left knee.

Enn skied off the course when his knee apparently gave way. He was removed from the course on a sled and taken to Vail Valley Medical Center for examination.

May Be Out for Season

Enn, 30, first injured ligaments in his knee in a giant slalom at Kirchberg, Austria, on Jan. 10.

Austrian officials said the latest injury probably will sideline Enn for the remainder of the World Cup season, but they were unable to say if it might end his career.

Enn, who has posted six World Cup victories in 14 seasons of racing.