Americans Kildow, Lalive Go 1-2 in Downhill Event

Lindsey Kildow and Caroline Lalive overcame blustery and snowy conditions to finish 1-2 in a World Cup downhill competition Saturday at Val d’Isere, France, the first such finish for U.S. women skiers since Picabo Street and Hilary Lindh pulled it off in 1994.

Kildow, of Vail, Colo., led at every checkpoint to win in 1 minute 21.91 seconds and earn the World Cup downhill points lead. Lalive, of Steamboat Springs, Colo., recorded her best finish in nearly three years by finishing in 1:22.29.

The starting point of the race was lowered because of the weather, which allowed for only 36 skiers to compete. And the starting time was delayed nearly two hours, preying on skiers’ nerves.

“The conditions were so bad, the light was flat and we were just waiting. You had to not think about it,” said Kildow, who made slight bobbles before the second jump and at the bottom but maintained her tuck position and her poise.

“It looked like it wasn’t going to happen, but they groomed and slipped all night. Definitely, some sections were soft and outside the track it was very soft ... but so buffed in the track.”

Lalive said the conditions were “kinda nasty, but I think we thrive in this weather.”

Alexandra Meissnitzer of Austria shared the podium with the Americans, finishing third in 1:22.30. Petra Haltmayr of Germany was fourth in 1:22.46, followed by Janica Kostelic of Croatia in 1:22.48.

Julia Mancuso of Olympic Valley, Calif., was 12th and Stacey Cook of Truckee, Calif., was 30th.

On the men’s circuit, Mario Buechel of Liechtenstein recorded his first World Cup downhill victory at a snowy and foggy Val Gardena, Italy. His time of 1:27.99 was barely enough to defeat defending World Cup downhill champion Michael Walchhofer of Austria, who finished in 1:28.01.

Poor visibility delayed the start time and led to the race being called off after 40 skiers.

American Bode Miller finished eighth but earned enough points to regain first place overall after 12 races. He has 442 points, to 420 for Walchhofer and 417 for Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway.

Scott Macartney of Redmond, Wash, earned his second top-10 finish in 24 hours by tying for 10th, in 1:28.90. Daron Rahlves of Sugar Bowl, Calif., was 19th.

-- Helene Elliott

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Mao Asada of Japan tried only one triple axel but still easily beat figure skating world champion Irina Slutskaya of Russia to win the women’s title in the Grand Prix Final at Tokyo.

It was Slutskaya’s first loss since the 2004 world championships.

Asada won’t be showing off her skills at the Turin Olympics. She turned 15 in September, past the July 1 deadline the International Skating Union requires to be eligible for the Winter Games.

Overall, Asada defeated Slutskaya, 189.62 points to 181.48. Yukari Nakano of Japan finished third with 161.82 points.

World champion Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland won the men’s title. Jeff Buttle of Canada finished second and Daisuke Takahashi of Japan was third.

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BASEBALL

Dodgers, Garciaparra Getting Close to Deal

Nomar Garciaparra and the Dodgers were very close to agreement Saturday on a one-year contract, according to sources close to negotiations.

Reached by telephone Saturday afternoon, Arn Tellem, Garciaparra’s agent, said, “Things are progressing. We’re very close to a decision.”

Garciaparra apparently has chosen the Dodgers over similar offers from the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros. Those teams have been told Garciaparra would enter into final negotiations with the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have also spoken to the agent for free-agent right-hander Brett Tomko.

-- Tim Brown

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VOLLEYBALL

Washington Wins NCAA Women’s Championship

Washington swept top-seeded Nebraska, 30-26, 30-25, 30-26, at San Antonio to win its first NCAA women’s volleyball championship.

It was the sixth sweep in six tournament matches for the Huskies (32-1) and their 28th in 32 overall this season.

Christal Morrison was selected as tournament most valuable player and Jim McLaughlin became the first coach to win NCAA titles in men’s and women’s volleyball. He led USC to the men’s title in 1990.

Nebraska (33-2) swept five opponents in the tournament before meeting Washington.

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BOXING

Ruiz Loses WBA Title to Russia’s Valuev

John Ruiz lost the World Boxing Assn. heavyweight title, dropping a split decision to Russian 7-footer Nikolay Valuev at Berlin.

Valuev, 32, who becomes the tallest and heaviest (323 pounds) champion of all time, won, 116-113 and 116-114, on two judges’ cards. Another judge scored it 114-114. The crowd of 10,000 booed the decision.

“Boxing is the only sport where you can get robbed without a gun,” Ruiz said. “My promoter Don King should do his job and get a rematch.”

Ruiz’s manager, Norman Stone, had to be restrained in the ring when the announcement was made, and German promoter Wilfried Sauerland accused Stone of inciting the crowd, leading to the booing.

Ruiz, who weighed 238 pounds, appeared to have the fight in hand, using a jab-and-grab tactic to slip in a few punches and then tie up Valuev.

In the last round, Valuev (43-0, one no-decision) wobbled Ruiz (42-6-1) with a straight left.

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MISCELLANY

Goosen Takes Lead in South African Open

Retief Goosen shot a four-under-par 69 to lead fellow South African Ernie Els by three strokes after the third round of the South African Open at George. Goosen has a 54-hole total of 212, seven under.

Vaughn Gitten Jr. became the first American to win a D1 Grand Prix drifting competition against Japanese drivers when he upset Tatsuya Sakuma in the final round of the USA vs. Japan All-Star event at Irwindale Speedway.

Gitten, driving a Ford Mustang, eliminated Japanese champion Yasuyuki Kazama, winner of the last two D1 events at Irwindale, in the quarterfinal round. Both Sakuma and Kazama drove Nissan Silva S15s.