Kjus Wins First World Cup Race

Norwegian Lasse Kjus skied a near-perfect second run at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, to win the first World Cup giant slalom race of his career and consolidate his lead in the overall standings.

After finishing second to Switzerland’s Michael Von Gruenigen three times this season in the giant slalom, Kjus finally was able to reverse the order.

The 24-year-old Norwegian was third entering the second run, but skied flawlessly and finished with a combined time of 1 minute, 58.74 seconds. He beat Von Gruenigen by 22-hundredths of a second.

Showing supreme stamina and style on a tough course at Veysonnaz, Switzerland, Martina Ertl won her second straight World Cup giant slalom with ease.

The German won by 1.49 seconds, giving her three wins overall this season.