 Riesch saw off some big names |
Germany's Maria Riesch upset the odds to take the downhill at Haus Im Ennstal for her maiden World Cup win. The 19-year-old, fastest in final training, clocked one minute and 39.30 seconds to take first on the Krummholz course at the Austrian resort.
Experienced Italian Isolde Kostner had to settle for second, 0.46 seconds off the pace.
Pre-race favourite and defending champion Renate Goetschl of Austria was third on 1:39.78.
The race was marred, however, by a high-speed crash by American Kirsten Lee Clark.
She careered into the safety netting after landing off-balance from the first jump with her legs ripped apart into the splits.
Clark, 26, was later diagnosed as having a fractured right arm and torn knee ligaments. She will miss the rest of the season.
Austrian Ingrid Rumpfhuber will miss the rest of the season after crashing in a practice on Thursday and breaking her left leg. Rumpfhuber lost control at the notorious Dirtlerkante mogul and fell following a 25m jump.
She underwent surgery in the nearby Schladming hospital.
Results: 1. Maria Riesch (Ger) 1:39.30
2. Isolde Kostner (Ita) 1:39.76
3. Renate Goetschl (Aut) 1:39.78
4. Hilde Gerg (Ger) 1:40.06
5. Bryna McCarty (USA) 1:40.26
6. Nadia Styger (Swi) 1:40.30
7. Carole Montillet (Fra) 1:40.41
8. Fraenzi Aufdenblatten (Swi) 1:40.55
9. Michaela Dorfmeister (Aut) 1:40.62
10. Petra Haltmayr (Ger) 1:40.87
22. Chemmy Alcott (GB) 1:41.55
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
