WORLD CUP SKIING : Stangassinger Wins First Cup Event

Austrian Thomas Stangassinger, a five-year veteran of World Cup competition, scored his first victory Sunday, when he won the slalom at Mont-Ste-Anne, Quebec.

Stangassinger, 24, completed his runs in a combined time of one minute, 43.51 seconds to beat fellow Austrian Bernhard Gstrein by nearly half a second. Marc Girardelli of Luxembourg was third.

Blowing snow created severe visibility problems during the first run and only 39 of 63 skiers completed the course.

Anita Wachter of Austria went back in front in the overall World Cup standings by winning the giant slalom at Vail, Colo., Sunday, a day after a broken ski cost her the lead.

Wachter paced both runs of the giant slalom to hold off a challenge by American Diann Roffe, who was second.

Wachter, 22, who has two firsts and two thirds after six World Cup events this season, had a combined time of 2 minutes, 18.29 seconds for the two runs.