SOELDEN, Austria (AP) — Kathrin Hoelzl led a German 1-2-3 finish after the first run of the season-opening World Cup giant slalom race on the Rettenbach course.
Defending World Cup GS champion Hoelzl timed 1 minute, 11.74 seconds to lead both Maria Riesch and Viktoria Rebensburg, who shared second, by 0.45 seconds.
Tanja Poutiainen of Finland was fourth, another 0.20 behind Hoelzl.
Three-time overall champion Lindsey Vonn nearly lost her balance on a left turn before entering the steep middle part and trailed Hoelzl by 3.82 seconds at the finish.
