Hirscher leads after one at Zagreb, Ligety sixth

By Published On: January 5th, 2012Comments Off on Hirscher leads after one at Zagreb, Ligety sixth

Marcel Hirscher has grabbed the first run lead of the night slalom at Zagreb in a numerical oddity. Hirscher, the number one skier, placed first with the second, third and fourth skiers also finishing in the order of their start: Andre Myhrer, Ivica Kostelic and Felix Neureuther respectively. The top three are separated by just .12 of a second.

The link to start numbers proceeded after the fifth starter, Jean-Baptiste Grange failed to finish. Mario Matt started and finished seventh, Manfred Moelgg eighth and Axel Baeck in a tie for tenth. Cristan Deville moved from the sixth start to fifth and Ted Ligety was the biggest intruder sitting sixth from the 17th start.

Michael Janyk finished 16th and Brad Spence 25th for the Canadians while the US added three skiers to the second run, Nolan Kasper, Jimmy Cochran and Will Brandenburg finished run one 26-27-28 and will start six-five-four in the evening heat.

An estimated 16,000 spectators witnessed the first run with more arriving. Overnight temperatures were below zero allowing work crews to put the Crveni spust track in good condition, but how long it can hold up is a question as it was well above freezing for the first run.

Hirscher photo by Gepa

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About the Author: Hank McKee

In memoriam: The veteran of the staff, McKee started with Ski Racing in 1980. Over the seasons, he covered virtually every aspect of the sport, from the pro tours to junior racing, freestyle and World Cup alpine competition. He wrote the first national stories for many U.S. team stars, and was still around to report on their retirements. “Longevity has its rewards,” he said, “but it’s a slow process.”