Palander claims first Giant Slalom

Palander has enjoyed five slalom victories this year Story Tools

ALTA BADIA, Italy, (Reuters) -- Finland's Kalle Palander won his first World Cup giant slalom and left world champion Bode Miller in the shade in Alta Bada.

Palander, the defending World Cup slalom champion, but without a podium finish in giant slalom, produced two brilliant runs to win with a combined time of two minutes 30.57 seconds.

The flying Finn, who has enjoyed five slalom victories this year, extended his advantage from the first leg with a clinical second run.

Italian Davide Simoncelli almost repeated compatriot Denise Karbon's victory in the women's race on Saturday but had to settle for second place, nearly a full second back.

Frederic Covili of France was third in 2:31.65 with Miller pushed down to fourth after a disappointing second leg.

The American has struggled after a great start to the season and will try and get back on the winning trail in Monday's floodlit slalom at nearby Madonna di Campiglio.

Austrian Hermann Maier retained the overall World Cup lead by more than 100 points despite crashing out during his second run.

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