Palander makes amends with victory
FLACHAU, Austria (Reuters) -- Finland's Kalle Palander won the men's World Cup slalom on Sunday a day after failing to qualify for the second leg of a giant slalom on the same Hermann Maeir course at Flachau.
Palander raced to victory in a time of one minute 42.24 seconds, 0.54 seconds quicker than Austrian Manfred Pranger.
Italy's Giorgio Rocca, who led the slalom standings going into the race, was third in 1:42.80.
It was the third victory of the season for Palander, 26, who had the field by a massive 0.86 seconds after the first leg.
The first leg had claimed some prominent names including slalom champion Ivica Kostelic of Croatia and American all-rounder Bode Miller who failed to finish.
The victory lifted Palander into the lead of the discipline rankings, tied with Pranger on 200 points.
"I was absolutely furious with the way I skied yesterday and that made me really hungry and determined today," said Palander, who failed to qualify for Saturday's giant slalom after finishing the opening leg almost three seconds back.
"I had a big advantage going into the second run but I knew I still had to push. It was enough."
Benjamin Raich, the winner the on Saturday, was third heading into the final leg but was unable to maintain his advantage and dropped to fourth, .61 back.
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