SEMMERING, Austria (AP) — Marlies Schild of Austria led by more than a second after the first run of a World Cup slalom Wednesday, while Lindsey Vonn crashed out.
The American defending overall champion lost her balance in a sharp right turn and slid off course. She hit a course worker and landed in the safety boarding. Vonn appeared unhurt, getting up immediately and skied down to the finish area.
Schild had a blistering first run to finish the Panorama course in 48.78 seconds.
Vonn’s main rival Maria Riesch of Germany almost skied out at the penultimate gate.
