Schneider Wins Her 12th Slalom

Vreni Schneider of Switzerland won an unprecedented 12th World Cup slalom race today, giving her six straight victories, and Rudolf Nierlich of Austria took the men’s giant slalom.

“I am happy as I came one step closer to the World Cup women’s overall title,” Schneider said. “I feel I am getting better day by day, so I have no pressure at present.”

Schneider will compete in the giant slalom Saturday; if she finishes in the top 10, she will be the overall leader.

Schneider flashed down the 63-gate, 536-meter course in one minute, 41.17 seconds. She was timed in 52.22 in the first run and in 48.95 in the second and finished 0.64 seconds ahead of Veronika Sarec of Yugoslavia.

Sarec led after the first run, which she finished in 52.14, but Schneider overtook her by 0.19 seconds in the second.

American Tamara McKinney came in third in 1:41.98.

McKinney, of Squaw Valley, Calif., winner of the women’s combined competition at the World Alpine Ski Championships in Vail, Colo., last month, said, “It’s a good day. I felt strong before the race, so I had confidence in finishing high. The slalom is my favorite event.”

In the men’s giant slalom, Nierlich came from behind to win the event by 0.45 seconds over Christian Ole Furuseth of Norway.

“I am so happy to win the race as I was more than one second behind the leader after the first run,” Nierlich said. “In the second run, I tried my best, even at the risk of dropping out.”

Nierlich covered the 1,150-meter Furano Gondola Ski Course in a total time of 2:15.98. He was clocked at 1:05.39 and 1:10.59, respectively.