Zurbriggen Wins Italy Slalom, Widening Lead in World Cup

Pirmin Zurbriggen of Switzerland won the super-giant slalom race today with a time of 1 minute, 21.99 seconds, widening his lead in the overall World Cup standings.

It was Zurbriggen’s third World Cup victory this season and the 28th of his career. He has 295 points in the overall World Cup standings.

Gunther Mader of Austria was second with a time of 1:22.77. Peter Runggaldier of Italy was third, clocking 1:23.08 over the 2,400-meter Checrouit course.

Zurbriggen started third at the scenic resort at the foot of Mt. Blanc.

“I skied really well today,” said Zurbriggen, who is trying for a record-tying fourth World Cup title. “It’s good to finish the season in such good shape.”

Mader, who started 11th, said the early starters benefited from better track conditions.

“When I came down, the course was already soft and spoiled,” said Mader, third in the overall standings with 193 points.

Zurbriggen, who will retire next month, also took a commanding lead in the Super-G standings, with 73 points after five races.

Austrian Hubert Strolz edged Italy’s Kurt Ladstaetter for fourth place while West German teammates Markus Wasmeier and Hans Stuffer tied for sixth, 1.28 seconds off the pace.

Ole Kristian Furuseth of Norway, second in the overall standings with 212 points, finished 16th and failed to pick up any points.