Cuche leads in Adelboden
Switzerland's Didier Cuche has taken a commanding lead following the first run of the World Cup giant slalom ski race in Adelboden.
The 27-year-old from Le Pâquier tore down the Kuonisbärgli course in an astonishingly fast time of 1’12″67, finishing the first run more than a second ahead of France’s Frederic Covili.
Pushing himself to the limit, Cuche came close to wiping out just two gates from the finish line but was able to regain control and put himself in a great position ahead of the afternoon’s second run.
Von Grünigen falters
Swiss giant slalom world champion Michael von Grünigen looks unlikely to clinch his first win of the season today. The star from nearby Schönried was unable to shine on home snow in the first run, finishing in seventh place almost two seconds behind Cuche.
A collision with one of the gates early on seemed to have cost von Grunigen dear with the 32-year old clutching an apparently right shoulder after making it through to the finish area.
by Mark Ledsom, Adelboden
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