Alpine Ski: Von Gruenigen wins giant slalom

The 1997 world champion von Gruenigen clocked 2 minutes 31.33 seconds after runs of 1:14.95 and 1:16.38 to claim his second victory of the season.

Austrian Heinz Schilchegger led after the first run, but dropped to second 0.59 seconds behind (1:14.68/1:17.24). American Bode Miller finished third, 65-hundredths of a second slower than von Gruenigen (1:16.09/1:15.89).

The skiers were due to race in Italy but a lack of snow in the Dolomite Valley forced them back to Val D'Isere, the site of last weekend's races.

Maier, the current overall leader who won the giant slalom here last weekend, was disqualified for exceeding a one-hour time limit for pre-race piste inspection.

"This is an early Christmas present which my rivals are taking from me," Maier said. "I was looking at my watch the whole time but there should have been an official clock on the slope because racers' watches aren't always the same to the second."

The Austrian skiing federation fined Maier 210,000 schilling (14,000 dollars) and banned him from racing in Wednesday's race in Bormio. A police report was also filed against Maier because the 28- year-old endangered the lives of those working on the piste.

Maier was also disqualified from a Val D'Isere race in 1997 after he removed his skis before crossing the red line which marks the end of the finish area.

Despite his disqualification Sunday, Maier retained his overall lead with 631 points. His compatriot Stephan Eberharter and Norwegian Lasse Kjus both have 409 after finishing out of the points.

Gruenigen pulled ahead of Maier in the giant slalom standings with 300 points after four races. Maier has 260 and Schilchegger is third with 212.

(kil/sda)