Skiing: Trinkl triumphs from late start: Austrian exploits a change in weather

(First Edition)

HANNES TRINKL became the latest late-starter winner when he scored his first World Cup victory in a super-giant slalom at Lech yesterday.

The Austrian, starting No 51, covered the 1.7-kilometre Kriegerhorn piste in 1min 4.42sec to deny Werner Perathoner an equally unlikely win. From start No 41, the Italian clocked 1:50.02 and for a few minutes had the race in his grasp.

Driving snow and a steady wind eased after the first 15 minutes of the race, favouring competitors with late start numbers, but Norway's Kjetil Andre Aamodt took eighth place and that was enough to allow him to take the lead in the overall World Cup from Italy's Alberto Tomba, who did not compete.

Results - Sporting digest, page 35