ALPINE:

Schild edges Zettel to earn slalom gold, Mielzynski 16th

Feb. 19, 2011

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany — Marlies Schild lived up to expectations and won the gold medal for a 1-2 Austrian finish in the women's slalom at the World Championships on Saturday.

Kathrin Zettel was .34 seconds behind to take the silver .34 and Maria Pietilae-Holmner of Sweden earned bronze, .65 seconds back.

Canada’s Erin Mielzynski was 16th and Anna Goodman placed 21st.

Schild led after the first run and hung on to win her first major title despite some shaky moments in the second heat. Her combined time was 1 minute, 45.79 seconds.

"I can't believe it. I tried not to think that I was racing for gold," Schild said. "The second run was hell. it was tough to ski, I made many mistakes. I just told myself: 'Fight, fight, fight.'

"I was warned about the hole (in the course). I expected it later but I saw it in time and negotiated it well."

Schild was distracted this week by the knee injury that ended the season of her boyfriend and Austrian teammate, Benjamin Raich.

"I hope he'll feel better now," Schild said.

She became the first Austrian to win the women's slalom since Karin Buder in 1993.

In the 13 World Cup slaloms since November 2009, Schild has won all eight in which she completed both runs. She has won five of seven slaloms this season.

Schild took the silver medal at last year's Olympics behind Maria Riesch of Germany. Riesch, who was the defending champion, missed her third bronze medal of the championships and had to settle for fourth.

"I didn't a win a title here but with two bronze medals I am not empty handed either," said Riesch, who struggled with a flu the first week of the championships.

"I was hoping that I could have a good final race, but to say I was expecting gold would be an overstatement. I've only won one slalom this season."

Zettel and Pietilae-Holmner both moved one place up from the first run. So did Riesch but could not overcome the big gap to snatch a medal before her hometown fans.

"A medal was my goal and I have to get hold of myself so I can stop crying," Zettel said. "I was really tense and that's why it was so hard, I had to pull myself together at the start. The longer the season, the better I get."

Tanja Poutiainen of Finland, who was second after the first run, fell behind into a tie for sixth.

Tina Maze of Slovenia, the giant slalom champion, finished fifth, ahead of Manuela Moellg of Italy and Poutiainen.

Schild's victory meant that Austria completed the women's schedule at the two-week championships by winning four of five events.

— The Canadian Press contributed to this report

2011 Alpine World Championships women's slalom results