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Second time around France's Bourgeat wins World Cup slalom race
SHIGAKOGEN, Japan (AP) -- Pierrick Bourgeat of France took advantage of an excellent second run to pick up his first title of the season Saturday in the Alpine Ski Men's World Cup slalom race in central Japan. Bourgeat, starting from the ninth position, clocked 57.97 seconds, one of the best results in the second round, for a winning combined time of 1 minute, 53.51 seconds. It was his second career World Cup victory following a slalom crown in Park City, Utah, in November 1998. After a leg injury suffered in September 1999, Bourgeat was inactive in the 1999-2000 season. He came back to the World Cup circuit this season. Heinz Schilchegger of Austria placed second with a combined time of 1:53.74, followed by fellow countryman Benjamin Raich's 1:53.81. Raich, who was seeking his fourth straight World Cup slalom title, was the fastest in the first round with 54.05 seconds. He started last in the second run. The top 30 qualified for the final leg should start in reverse order. "I myself was surprised to know that I won the race," said the 25-year-old Bourgeat, who jumped and pumped his skis over his head when he realized he'd won. "After the second run, I just hoped it would be good enough for a top-five finish." American Erik Schlopy, 14th after the first round, was leading at a combined time of 1:54.23 until Bourgeat's name appeared atop the leaders' board. Schlopy finally placed fifth in 1:54.23, behind Hans-Petter Buraas of Norway who combined for 1:53.95. After Bourgeat, none of the other leading contenders could better his time as they struggled with the course condition that was deteriorating fast due to the warm afternoon weather. "I found the course tough and rough in the second run, and I believe it troubled everyone else with all the bumps, slicky turns and the ruts that were deeper and wider than usual for later skiers," Bourgeat said. Austrian Rainer Schoenfelder, who was third-fastest in the first run, missed a gate just before the finish line, while Ole Christian Furuseth of Norway, who started from the seventh position, crashed out midway through. Japan's Kiminobu Kimura, who once placed fourth right behind Bourgeat in Sestriere in December, was the fastest in the afternoon leg in 57.22 seconds. He finished in 15th with 1:55.05. "I wasn't playing safe in the second run," said Raich. "I just lost my balance a few times because of the bumps and the ruts... I'll try my best tomorrow, and we'll see what happens." Slalom and giant slalom are two-run events, while winners and rankings in downhill and super giant slalom are decided in single-run competitions. The men's World Cup will move to Snowbasin, Salt Lake City, for the downhill and super giant slalom events next Saturday and Sunday.
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