CLICK FOR

Swiss Skiers Take it Back in GS #2
Whitefish, Montana
January 11, 1999

	Conditions were hazardous

Swiss skiers ruled on the second day of racing in Whitefish. However, a strong push by local racers put the US contingency into several top-15 finishes.

Warmer temperatures created some difficult racing conditions. As the mercury rose, trees gained their green luster and athletes scambled to find the ideal wax for the wet snow.

	Snowghosts

The first run was lead by the Swiss who held onto their lead for the top spots in both the men's and women's races. For the women, it was Mirjam Rubin who showed her power in the technical giant slalom events and took her second straight GS victory. Pia Ratia of Finland took second followed closely by Norway's Hege Johanson in third. American Cody Thompson, on her home turf, showed she is a force to reckon with as she makes her mark on the World Cup circuit.

For the men, Patrick Leopold led the always strong Swiss men's team which took a 1-2-3 sweep. Remo Rickenbach nabbed second and Marcel Waser was third. Turn penalties proved a pivotal factor in both the men's and women's fields, as no one skied clean in either run.

— Jimmy Ludlow, Mountain Zone Correspondent