Stefano Gross wins in World Cup slalom

Stefano Gross of Italy won a tight World Cup slalom on Sunday where just 0.03 seconds separated the top three finishers in Adelboden, Switzerland.

A first career World Cup victory for Gross denied first-run leader Fritz Dopfer of Germany his first win by just 0.02. Gross had a combined two-run time of 1 minute, 56.70 seconds.

Overall World Cup leader Marcel Hirscher of Austria was a further 0.01 back in third and extended his lead in the overall standings.

Ted Ligety of the United States is seventh overall after placing 22nd Sunday, 2.02 back.

David Chodounsky was the best-placed American in 11th, trailing Gross by 0.96.

At age 28, Gross finally won after three podium finishes in the 2012 season.

“I am very, very happy,” said Gross, who has overcome back injuries. “I have worked really hard this summer and this season to reach this result.”

On a good day for the Italian slalom team, 2010 Olympic champion Guiliano Razzoli placed fourth, 0.55 behind his teammate.

Hirscher now tops the season-long slalom standings after previous leader Felix Neureuther of Germany failed to finish the first run.

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A women’s World Cup super-G on Sunday was delayed for 45 minutes and then called off after 11 starters because of strong winds at Bad Kleinkirchheim, Austria.

Organizers initially postponed the start as course workers needed more time to harden the snow surface following a night of mild temperatures.

After the first skiers completed their run, fierce winds started blowing over the course, prompting an interruption of the race as conditions got too dangerous for speed racing.

As weather conditions failed to improve over the following 45 minutes, organizers decided to call off the race. A downhill on the same course was canceled Saturday after a storm destroyed parts of the finish area and the safety fencing along the course.