Swiss Skiier Gets 1st World Cup Points in N.H. Slalom Victory

Urs Kaelin of Switzerland, without a World Cup point in four races, won the giant slalom today.

Kaelin, third after the first run, covered the course in 1 minute, 21.41 seconds on his second run for a combined time of 2:38.49.

Lars-Boerje Ericksson of Sweden, with a run of 1:20.91, jumped from 15th to second place in 2:38.75. Guenther Mader of Austria was third in 2:39.13.

Martin Hangl of Switzerland, the leader after the first run, fell back with a run of 1:23.16, as did Rainer Salzgeber of Austria, who dropped from second place with a clocking of 1:24.20. Hangl led after the first run with a time of 1:16.13. Salzgeber was next at 1:16.17.

Kaelin was third in 1:17.08 and Johan Wallner of Sweden, starting third, finished in 1:17.13 for fourth place. Franck Piccard of France was fifth in 1:17.30.

Overall, the Austrians placed four in the top 10 and the Swiss three after the first run.

The best United States showing was by Felix McGrath, who started in the 39th position and finished in 1:19.66. Kyle Rasmussen finished in 1:20.06, Matt Grosjean was timed in 1:20.78 and Tiger Shaw was clocked in 1:21.59.

Italy’s Alberto Tomba, who gave warning Wednesday that he is back in form by easily winning the slalom, was disqualified for missing a gate on the first giant slalom run.

After the unmet expectations of last season, Tomba says he is ready to regain the glory heaped upon him two years ago when he won World Cup races, Olympic gold medals and the hearts of sports fans everywhere.

The first giant slalom was run today on the same Mt. Tecumseh course. It originally was to be held Wednesday but was set back a day for the slalom, which was moved from Park City, Utah, where bad weather forced a postponement.