Schneider Gets Up, Dusts Off the Field in Women’s Slalom

Defending World Cup champion Vreni Schneider of Switzerland, who fell on her first run of the season, turned in two flawless runs to win the women’s slalom Saturday.

Schneider, coming off the best season in the history of the World Cup tour with 14 victories last year, negotiated the 427-meter course at the Park City Ski Area in 47.77 seconds on her first run and in 46.88 on her second for a total of 1:34.65.

She easily beat Monika Maierhofer of Austria, who was timed in 48.26 on her first run and 47.71 on her second for a total of 1:35.97.

Anita Wachter of Austria was third in 1:36.22, followed by Austrian teammates Petra Kronberger in 1:36.48 and Karin Buder in 1:36.53.

Camilla Nilsson of Sweden was sixth in 1:36.91. Kristi Terzian of Salt Lake City was the leading American, placing seventh in 1:37.03.

Schneider, in her season debut Friday, fell in her first giant slalom run. She said after that race she hoped to put that misfortune behind her and do well on Saturday.

She was the sixth starter of the day on the course, which had a base of artificial snow. About six inches of new snow fell overnight Friday, but crews removed it to the base for Saturday’s runs.

Schneider was in control from the start, displaying her form of last season.

Her rhythmic style helped her easily pass through the course’s gates and through areas where two skiers fell before her on her first run. Three skiers caught skis or missed gates before Schneider made her second run.