Razzoli leads after first slalom run, Raich third

Feb 27, 2010, 19:14 GMT

Whistler, Canada - Guiliano Razzoli of Italy was the leader after the first run of Saturday's men's Olympic slalom event in foggy and rainy conditions with defending champion Benjamin Raich third.

Razzoli continued his strong slalom season by racing down the lower Dave Murray course in 47.79 seconds. He hopes to win Italy's first slalom medal since Alberto Tomba won silver in 1992 and 1994. Tomba also won slalom gold in 1988.

Mitja Valencic of Slovenia had the second-quickest time, 0.43 seconds behind Razzoli.

The defending Olympic slalom champion and 2005 slalom world champion Raich is third, just 11-hundredths behind Valencic.

Besides Raich, the Austrian men's alpine nightmare continued with Marcel Hirscher ninth and Reinfried Herbst - winner of four World Cup races this season - ranking 12th after the first run.

The alpine super powers Austria have never failed to win a men's medal at an Olympics in which they participated.

Super combined silver medallist Ivica Kostelic of Croatia ranks fourth while 2007 worlds slalom silver medal winner Manfred Moelgg of Italy is fifth.

Bode Miller of the United States straddled a gate at the very top of the course and skied out, ending the possibility of becoming the first skier to win a medal in all five Olympic alpine disciplines.