Swedish skier Anja Paerson overcame a 10th place finish in the opening run with a blistering second heat to win a World Cup giant slalom in Are, Sweden, and extend her lead in the overall standings.
Paerson completed the two runs down the Olympia course in a combined time of two minutes and 15.64 seconds. It was the Swede's third straight giant slalom win of the season, after she had already wrapped up the season title in the discipline.
Maria Jose Rienda Contreras of Spain was second, just over one-half second back, while Elisabeth Goergl of Austria placed third.
Renate Goetschl of Austria, Paerson's only rival for the overall title, wound up 33rd in the opening run and failed to qualify for the second run. With her win, Paerson extended her lead to 123 points over Goetschl in the overall standings. Six races remain, including four in gate events. That should favor Paerson, as Goetschl scores most of her points in the speed events.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
