Skiing: Aubert bags slalom

Sandrine Aubert gave France a second victory in two days in Are, Sweden when she won her third World Cup slalom title.

French dominate in Sweden as Aubert takes third World Cup win

Sandrine Aubert gave France a second victory in two days in Are, Sweden when she won her third career World Cup slalom title. Racing on the same Olimpia piste that saw team-mate Tessa Worley win the giant slalom, Aubert won in a combined time of one minute 43.24 seconds. A blistering second run as fog was creeping up the mountain allowed the 27-year-old skier from Les Deux Alpes to leave German sisters Maria and Susanne Riesch to battle it out for the other two podium spots. "To win back-to-back races is extremely important. This weekend is going to be crucial for the rest of our season," Aubert said. "I love this piste and obviously it loves me too. It really started for me here last year and it helped me keep relaxed and confident today." World champion Maria Riesch was second, 0.45 seconds behind, and took the overall World Cup lead from arch-rival Lindsey Vonn. Younger sister Susanne, fourth in the previous two slaloms of the season, made it on to her first podium, 0.96 seconds behind Aubert. Vonn, winner of two downhills last weekend in Lake Louise, had to be content with eighth place, 2.13 off the pace. The American now trails Riesch by 20 points in the overall World Cup standings. Result:
1. Sandrine Aubert (France) 53.22 50.02 1:43.24
2. Maria Riesch (Germany) 52.62 51.07 1:43.69
3. Susanne Riesch (Germany) 54.16 50.04 1:44.20
4. Anja Paerson (Sweden) 53.91 50.71 1:44.62
4. Kathrin Zettel (Austria) 53.59 51.03 1:44.62
6. Maria Pietilae-Holmner (Sweden) 53.60 51.08 1:44.68
7. Sarka Zahrobska (Czech Republic) 54.26 50.98 1:45.24
8. Lindsey Vonn (U.S.) 54.21 51.16 1:45.37
9. Anna Goodman (Canada) 54.78 51.07 1:45.85
10. Chiara Costazza (Italy) 55.04 51.10 1:46.14 Slalom standings:
1. Maria Riesch (Germany) 225 points
2. Sarka Zahrobska (Czech Republic) 168
3. Susanne Riesch (Germany) 160
4. Sandrine Aubert (France) 136 Overall standings:
1. Maria Riesch (Germany) 441 points
2. Lindsey Vonn (U.S.) 421
3. Kathrin Zettel (Austria) 330
4. Tina Maze (Slovenia) 275