Sun, Feb 05, 2006 - Page 22 News List

Maria Jose Rienda wins giant slalom

WORLD CUP SKIING The Spaniard scorched the slopes for her second victory of the season with the Olympics just around the corner. Anja Paerson came in second

AP , OFTERSCHWANG, GERMANY

Hermann Maier, who initially hoped to get a strong result ahead of the Olympic combined event, was third-quickest in the downhill but later withdrew from the race in protest.

The Austrian was unhappy with the race's format, arguing that the downhill had been shortened too much and the slalom leg was too long, favoring the technical skiers. The downhill was shortened 530m and the slalom included 64 gates.

"This is not fair this way," Maier said. "It looks like they try to get two slalom runs in one now. It's not good for downhillers. Slalom skiers have a big advantage."

Maier is considering competing in the traditional combined event -- which adds the times from a downhill to the times of two slalom legs -- at the Olympics.

Raich, Michael Walchhofer and Schoenfelder have three of the four berths available on the Austrian squad. The fourth Austrian who was supposed to compete, Mario Matt, suffered a hard crash in Wednesday's downhill training session and was forced to head home.

Matt suffered no specific injuries but was bruised and battered. It is uncertain whether he can compete at the Olympics.

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