WINTER SPORTS ROUNDUP : Nierlich Wins, at Least for the Moment

Rudolf Nierlich successfully defended his world title in the men’s giant slalom Sunday at Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, but the victory was clouded by a controversy over a missing International Ski Federation-approved seal on his racing suit.

The decision was protested by four teams, and the suit was confiscated by officials, who said results could be overturned after tests.

Nierlich held his title when first-run leader Alberto Tomba fell near the top of the course. Nierlich finished with a winning aggregate time of 2 minutes 29.94 seconds.

Urs Kaelin of Switzerland was second and Johan Wallner third.

It was unclear when Nierlich lost the seal, though he said he “must have lost it during the race.”

The race jury voted to allow Nierlich to make the second run after he changed into another set of overalls.

But Tomba, an Italian whose bid for his first world title ended when he fell on the second run, said he was was bitter that Nierlich was allowed to participate in the second heat.

“If he were an Italian, he would have been disqualified for sure,” Tomba said.

Gunda Kleeman, a 24-year-old German, won both the 1,500 and 5,000 meter races and 177.263 points to win the women’s world all-around speedskating Championships at Hamar, Norway.

Bernhard Knauss of Austria beat Torjus Berge of Norway to win the Coors Light Slalom at Squaw Valley, Calif.