Maze takes lead in slalom standings; looks to sweep season titles
Mar 11, 2013, 1:07 PM EDT
Getty Images Alpine skier Tina Maze of Slovenia won yet another race this weekend to take the lead in the slalom World Cup standings. She aims to be the first woman ever to sweep all five disciplines as the season comes to a close this week.
Maze earned her record tying 22nd podium finish of the year Sunday in Ofterschwang, Germany, clocking a combined time of 1:52.85 for her two runs to hold off Wendy Holdener of Switzerland and American teen Mikaela Shiffrin.
“There was a bit of nervousness there, because it’s a discipline in which you have to attack and risk a little bit,” Maze told the Associated Press. “So for me today, it was important just to stay calm and ski – not to think too much.”
But Shiffrin, who won her first slalom world title last month in Schladming, Switzerland, can take the discipline title away from Maze with a victory in the season finale this Saturday.
“It isn’t over until the fat lady sings. It’s good that it’s exciting to the end,” Shiffrin said. “I’ll just go as hard as I can and see if I can get [the lead] back. If not, I’ve still had an amazing season so I can’t be disappointed. I can definitely be proud of myself but you always want more.”
Maze is still (somehow) behind Lindsey Vonn for the downhill title, despite the fact that Vonn missed a month with an intestinal illness back in November and blew out her knee last month at worlds.
Maze needs to finish 15th or better to take the downhill title, but Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany and Stacey Cook of the U.S. can also win the season championship if either wins this week in Switzerland.
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