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Maria Riesch leads after first run of women’s slalom; Lindsey Vonn is out

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Maria Riesch of Germany skied through steady snow and led the first run of the woman’s slalom Friday, as Lindsey Vonn skied out in her final race of the Winter Olympics. The second run is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PST.

Riesch finished in 50.75 seconds.

Vonn straddled a gate when she could not correct her line after her right, outside ski slid away coming out of a left-hand turn.

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“I went out there fighting and it just wasn’t my day,” Vonn said. “I’m totally satisfied with everything I have done here. I have the gold medal I came here for.”

Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic was second, 0.40 second behind, and Marlies Schild of Austria trailed Riesch by 0.65 in third. Schild got bronze in slalom at the 2006 Turin Games.

Sarah Schleper of the U.S. was ninth, 1.08 back, despite starting No. 26.

Defending champion Anja Paerson of Sweden was a distant 2.18 back in 20th place as she chased a record seventh career Olympic medal in women’s Alpine racing.

“It was tough. This Olympics has been all about the weather,” said Paerson, who won bronze in super-combined.

-- Houston Mitchell in Vancouver, Canada

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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