Finn Christian Jagge (NOR)

Jagge Wins Slalom in Germany
Norway's Finn Christian Jagge celebrated a sweet revenge in Oberschwang, Germany by winning his second slalom of the season. The 1992 Olympic champion beat Austria's Thomas Stangassinger, last year's slalom champion, by over a second after setting the best time in the first run. Norway's Kjetil Andre-Aamodt was third with 1:49.13.

"I still have something to prove..." — Finn Christian Jagge

A far 18th in Vail two weeks ago, Jagge was motivated to win on the sunny slope overlooking the town of Oberschwang, located in the western part of Bavaria. A winner in Sestriere in December, Jagge has not been able to put two strong runs together since then. But he found his determination on the softer "Oberschwang Horn" course which hosted its first World Cup races over the weekend.

"I still have something to prove," said Jagge, who has competed for more than twelve years on the World Cup circuit. "I needed such a result to feel well again. It has been a disappointing season after my success in Sestriere." This victory may also convince him to keep on racing for another year. Only a few slaloms have been won in the past with such a margin.

"He was impressive," admited Stangassinger, who was pleased with 2nd place after finishing only 4th in the first run. "He was already one second ahead at the intermediate time in that second run. I'm happy to have finished in front of Kosir and Bourgeat—it gives me a little air before the finals. I hope to be more lucky this time."

Stangassinger, a slalom veteran who finished twice in second place this season, lost last year's slalom title to his teammate Thomas Sykora after a disastrous race during the Finals in Crans-Montana. "It will not be easy, but I hope to have learned something from last year."

Stangassinger reinforced his lead in the slalom World Cup standings which he lost last year in the finals. He should be able to succesfully defend his advance this year over his main rivals, Kosir and Bourgeat, during the last slalom planned in two weeks in Sierrra Nevada, Spain.

None of the medal winners from Vail achieved a good result here in Oberschwang— Lasse Kjus, who suffers from influenza, didn't compete this weekend.

America's Bode Miller achieved another great performance by finishing in 4th place for the second time this season—a comeback for him since he was only 14th after the first run. Another Norwegian, Ole Kristian Furuseth was 5th in front of Slovenia's Jure Kosir. Austria's Benjamin Raich had a sad birthday on race day when he straddled a gate at the end of the second run while fighting for a top-3 place. The new World Champion from Vail, Kalle Palander from Finland, also had a tough day when he skied out in the first run.

Kjetil Aamodt was the real hero of this race, finishing 3rd after clocking the 6th best time in the first leg. This outstanding result allowed him to usurp the lead in the overall World Cup standings in front of Hermann Maier, who didn't compete in this German race.

Aamodt needed at least a 7th place to pass Hermann Maier in the overall World Cup standings before the next speed events on the Olympic courses in Kvitfjell, near Lillehammer. He did much better thanks to a strong second run.

"It's really exciting to fight again for the overall World Cup victory and I'm very proud about this performance today," said Aamodt who last clinched the overall title in 1994. "I was not satisfied at all with my 15th place in the giant slalom on Saturday. I had to react to save my chance until the finals. It's very difficult to beat Hermann in the speed events, so I need to ski at my limits in the technical events. I hope that Lasse will be back in shape next weekend... it's more fun when he is around."

In Kvitfjell next weekend, Kjus as well as some Austrian skiers who are not the greatest fans of "The Herminator" can help Aamodt in finishing ahead of Maier in the two downhills and the Super-G scheduled from Friday to Sunday. Maier needs to leave Norway for the World Cup finals in Spain with a strong lead on his Scandinavian rivals, especially since the courses in Sierra Nevada don't favor his style. The downhill and Super-G courses are pretty flat and the GS slope is steep and narrow. His aggressive style also needs very hard snow to help him to clock fast times.

Switzerland's Pirmin Zurbriggen was the last skier to have won two consecutive World Cup titles in 1987 and 1998. Beside became World Champion in Vail, Hermann was also hoping to achieve a similar performance this winter. The races in Norway will be decisive for him.

—Mountain Zone European Correspondent