Hector wins final World Cup giant slalom before Olympics

SAN VIGILIO DI MAREBBE, Italy (AP) — Sara Hector has won the final World Cup giant slalom before the Beijing Olympics. Hector was second after the opening run but overtook defending overall champion Petra Vlhova for her second straight GS victory. The Swedish skier let out a scream after crossing the line 0.15 seconds ahead of Vlhova on a clear and cold day at Kronplatz mountain in the Dolomites. Tessa Worley was third. Mikaela Shiffrin finished fifth, 0.81 slower than Hector as she slipped to third in the giant slalom standings. Shiffrin also lost ground in the overall standings. The American’s lead over Vlhova was cut to only 17 points.