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Men's Giant Slalom
November 20, 1998

	Stefan Eberharter

Stefan Eberharter (AUT), who finished second in the first GS run this morning, took a big lead in his second run, and Hermann Maier was his only threat to the podium before losing an edge, leaving Eberharter the top spot on the podium.

Another Austrian, Christian Mayer, finished second, and teammate Siegfried Voglreiter showed incredible athleticism by finishing seventh after a near-fall in the second run from which he recovered. In third place was Marco Buechel (LIE) with his best World Cup finish ever.

"Skiing has become more aggressive. We have to work hard on our physical things. If you're not doing that, you can't ski like we do." — Stefan Eberharter

Course and weather conditions could not have been better, with skiers in the back of the pack placing consitently higher times in the second run as the race progressed, passing the top spot on the podium ultimately to Eberharter.

Eberharter, who was fourth here last year, said it is great to be on the strong Austrian team, but it is also tough.

"Skiing has become more aggressive," said Eberharter. "We have to work hard on our physical things. If you're not doing that, you can't ski like we do... I'm always happy when I'm on the podium. Top-5, it's okay. I'm here to win races, but I don't expect to win every race. I am not Hermann Maier."

	Marco Buechel

After a solid, powerful first run, Maier held first place by 35-one-hundredths of a second over Eberharter, but then lost it at the top of the first steep section, an area that took several other racers out of the running.

Veteran Michael Von Gruenigan (SUI) held onto the fastest time in the second run, but was knocked off the leader board by Jure Kosir (SLO), who was then knocked off Andre Kjetil Aamodt (NOR) followed by numerous others who enjoyed a few minutes in the number one spot before Eberharter stole the show.

Bode Miller (USA), 19, skied what is being called the best US run of the decade, in spite of a hand injury six weeks ago that left him unsure if he would be able to race here today. Miller finished eighth (tied with Norway's Lasse Kjus). Miller, from Franconia, NH, was happy to be able to share his victory with teammates Casey Puckett and Thomas Vonn who placed 25th and 27th.

	Bode Miller

"It's nice. It's also good just to be able to share this with my teammates — guys who were also in the top-30 who maybe didn't ski their best today, but to not ski your best and to still be in the top-30 in the world is an accomplishment. It's huge, and it's great for me to have friends who are punching right in there."

Tomorrow the women return to the course for a slalom race. Check back for updates after each run, we're bringing it to you live.

— Michelle Quigley, Mountain Zone Staff

Herminator Skis Blistering First Run
Men's Giant Slalom
November 20, 1998, 12:15pm MST

Hermann Maier, skis pointed straight down and hands straight out, skied a blistering first run this morning in the men's giant slalom, finishing .35 of a second in front of Austrian teammate Stephan Eberharter. Veteran Steve Locher (SUI) is currently third place after a clean solid run on a course that claimed many causualties during the first round. Bode Miller (USA), 19, is holding on to seventh place.

Men's Giant Slalom
Top-10 Results (FIRST RACE ONLY)

1. Hermann Maier (AUT) 1:07.02
2. Stefan Eberharter (AUT) 1:07.37
3. Steve Locher (SUI) 1:07.72
4. Christian Mayer (AUT) 1:07.90
5. Marco Buechel (LIE) 1:07.97
6. Patrick Holzer (ITA) 1:08.07
7. Bode Miller (USA) 1:08.28
8. Kjetil Andre Aamodt (NOR) 1:08.31
9. Siegfried Voglreiter (AUT) 1:08.42
9. Lasse Kjus (NOR) 1:08.42