Hosp Wins Women's Giant Slalom at Alpine Championships

Nicole Hosp of Austria has won the women's giant slalom race at the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Are, Sweden.

Hosp had tied for fourth after the first run but had the fastest second run. Her combined time of 2:31.72 gave her the gold medal by 0.85 second over Maria Pietilae-Holmner of Sweden 2:32.57. Pietilae-Holmner's good second run moved her from sixth place to the silver medal.

Italy's Denise Karbon made an even bigger jump up the standings, going from 12th after the first run to third place to take the bronze medal (2:32.69). Olympic champion Julia Mancuso of the United States led after Tuesday's opening run, but she slipped to fifth after struggling in the second run down the course.

Sweden's Anja Paerson, who had won the first three women's events at these championships, crashed in the second leg.

Hosp's gold was Austria's first title in Are after two silver and three bronze medals.