United States Vonn slip leaves Zettel to win super-combi

Lindsey Vonn of the United States saw her dream of sweeping the titles at the alpine skiing world championships disappear in a fraction of a second as she missed a slalom gate in the super-combi on Friday.
Zettel celebrates her victory in Friday’s super-combi at Val d’Isere.

Zettel celebrates her victory in Friday’s super-combi at Val d’Isere.

Vonn looked hot favorite for a second gold as she led after the downhill section, but a mistake at the top of a tricky slalom leg saw her disqualified.

Gold went to Austrian Kathrin Vettel, who was fifth after the downhill at Val d’Isere, but produced a storming slalom leg for a combined time of two minutes 20.13 seconds.

Swiss teenager Lara Gut finished second, 0.56 seconds behind, and Vettel’s compatriot Elisabeth Goergl claimed third.

Vonn won the first event of the championships, Tuesday’s super-G, and has strong chances in the downhill, giant slalom and slalom of further medals.

Vonn’s arch-rival in the race for overall honors on the World Cup circuit, Maria Riesch of Germany, again disappointed by finishing fourth and out of the medals.

Reigning world super-combi champion Anja Paerson of Sweden missed a gate on the downhill leg to be eliminated.Meanwhile, Friday’s training for the men’s downhill saw Didier Cuche of Switzerland fastest as he bids to double up on his super-G gold on Wednesday.

Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway was second quickest with American Bode Miller third best.