Raich Wins Slalom
Benjamin Raich, Austria's new ski hero, achieved yet another stellar performance in today's slalom in Wengen, winning his third race of the season after dominating the first leg.

Raich handled the pressure perfectly, becoming one of the youngest winners of this slalom in the last 20 years. Only few exceptionnal skiers, including Swedish superstar Ingemar Stenmark, were younger than Raich when they clinched this event. Stenmark was younger than 19 in 1975 when he won his first slalom here.

Raich may try to chase Stenmark's lofty records, including 86 wins on the World Cup tour from 1974 to 1989. But for the moment, he is just enjoying himself.

"It was an exciting race," said Raich. "I wanted to prove that I can ski fast on a damaged course too. But I was lucky to win by 1/10 in front on von Gruenigen after the bad mistake at the middle of the second run. It's a tough slope. I can imagine that there will be great pressure on me next week at Kitzbuhel but that's part of the life of a champion. I have worked hard to reach this level and I'm enjoying my position now."

Young Raich has collected a strong series of results since the beginning of the year. Fourth in the giant slalom in Kranjska Gora, he finished the five next races on the podium, winning two slaloms and a giant slalom. Last week, he was also in the lead in first GS run in Adelboden, but he moved down to 3rd after the second run. Raich, 3rd in the slalom standings now, will be the skier to beat at Vail in February in the technical events.

Taking all risks in the treacherous second run, Raich beat Switzerland's Michael von Gruenigen, 2nd here in 1995, by 10/100 of a second.

Norway's Lasse Kjus also had a phenomenal day after winning the downhill on Saturday: the 1996 overall World Cup winner reached 3rd place, the best slalom result of his career, despite a major mistake in the first run. He also clinched the first combined of the season, improving his position in the World Cup standings.

Kjus is the first skier since the great Jean Claude Killy to stand two days in a row on the podium of this classic competition in Wengen.

"I went through some difficult moments in the past weeks because of a bad cold and the crash in Austria," said Kjus. "I knew that my form was improving, but this is more than I expected. I'm really proud to have finished on the podium in all events and to have won this combined. Next weekend will be very difficult with three downhills and two slaloms. I don't have a plan so far. I'll wait to see how the conditions are before starting to focus on the downhills. The fact that I have won here doesn't mean that I will also win on the Streif. It's quite a diffifult course which requires a different attitude."

In 1996, Kjus crashed during training on the Streif at a time when he dominated the World Cup tour. A good result next weekend would be a sweet revenge for him.

His teammate, Kjetil Aamodt, who was also aiming for a top result in that slalom after coming 3rd in Schladming two weeks ago, had to be content with a far 21st place. Aamodt reached 2nd in the combined, just ahead of Hermann Maier, who maintains a strong lead in the overall World Cup.

Thomas Stangassinger (AUT), who finished 6th, successfully defended his lead in the slalom standings in front of France's Pierrick Bourgeat, who finished a disappointing 11th after setting the second best time in the first run.

America's Bode Miller acheived an excellent 4th place, missing his first World Cup podium by only 44/100. Switzerland's Didier Plaschy saved his qualification for the World Championships in Vail with 5th. Finland's Kalle Palander placed an encouraging 7th in front of top specialists such as the 1998 Olympic Champion Hans Petter Buraas and the defending World Champion Tom Stiansen, who was 3rd in the first run.

—Mountain Zone European Correspondent