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Austria's Reinfried Herbst, center, winner of an Alpine Ski, Men's World Cup Slalom race, celebrates on the podium with second placed Marcel Hirscher, also Austrian, and third placed Julien Lizeroux, of France
The Associated Press

Herbst leads Austrian 1-2 finish in World Cup slalom

The Canadian Press
Posted Sunday, January 31, 2010 9:17 AM ET

KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia - Reinfried Herbst led an Austrian 1-2 finish at a men's World Cup slalom Sunday for his second win in six days.

Herbst finished the course in a combined time of one minute 45.35 seconds to beat Marcel Hirscher by 0.40 seconds for his fourth victory of the season and ninth overall. He also won Tuesday at Schladming, Austria.

"It went really well. I have been suffering from back problems but felt very well before the race,'' Herbst said. "I am very proud about my second run as conditions were very difficult.''

Michael Janyk of Whistler, B.C., was the top Canadian, finishing 10th in 1:46.50 despite standing fourth after the opening run.

"It was a difficult position to be in because the conditions where a bit rough and I got caught in some ruts a couple of times but I definitely felt confident going in,'' he said. "My second run was obviously not my best run.

"I'm happy with my race, but I'm looking to have two great runs in the same day. I will take today as what it is. January was a great month for me as I was consistent through most of my races.''

Montreal's Ryan Semple was 21st after the first run but didn't finish the second one. Calgary's Brad Spence didn't qualify for the second run as he finished in 32nd place while Julien Cousineau of Lachute, Que., Calgary's Trevor White, Patrick Biggs of Orleans, Ont., and Paul Stutz, also of Calgary, didn't finish the first run.

Herbst said he is glad to now have some time off before the Vancouver Olympics.

"I need a break now,'' Herbst said. "January has been very intense. On the other hand, in this kind of form you're always happy to have another race coming up.''

Hirscher was 1.36 seconds behind in 15th after the opening run. He switched equipment in-between runs and attacked throughout to post the fastest time in the second leg, which was set by the Austrian team's technical coach, Michael Pircher.

It was the third podium finish in as many days for Hirscher, who won Saturday's giant slalom.

"I went back to my old boots and skis. My second run was very good,'' Hirscher said. "The course got worse during the race, which was definitely in my favour. It's just unbelievable how things are going right now. I could have never dreamed of such a weekend.''

Herbst holds a 43-point lead in the slalom standings over Julien Lizeroux of France, who was 0.53 back in third.

Lizeroux, who won here last year, lost his balance at the final section of the first run and had 0.55 to make up in the second.

"I was pretty fast in both runs,'' Lizeroux said. "I lost the race with that one mistake, but I am happy to be on the podium.

"It's going to be a terrific fight for the slalom title this season. Herbst is in front, but I never give up.''

Giuliano Razzoli of Italy posted the fastest time in the opening leg but straddled a gate in the final run.

American Ted Ligety, who won Friday, had a strong second run to move from 10th to fourth place but was later disqualified for straddling a gate.

Benjamin Raich of Austria finished sixth to extend his lead in the overall standings over Switzerland's Carlo Janka to 1,003-897. Janka skipped the race.

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