Riesch eyes slalom gold as Vonn bombs

Germany's Maria Riesch is in prime position to add Olympic slalom gold to her super-combined title after heading the first leg on Friday which saw American star Lindsey Vonn crash out.

Riesch clocked 50.75 seconds, 0.40sec ahead of world slalom silver medallist Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic, with Austrian Marlies Schild at a further 0.25sec.

Riesch's sister Susanne was in fourth at 0.71sec as Germany seek to build on the elder sibling's gold and that of Viktoria Rebensburg in the giant slalom.

Vonn, who has struggled in slalom this season, bombed out high up the Dave Murray course, skiing with a splint on the finger she broke in a giant slalom crash on Wednesday. She also crashed out of the super-combined event.

"It was okay with the early numbers actually," said Riesch, who started fifth. "I tried to attack the flat and easy parts and go with the brain in the steeper parts.

"It will be a difficult second run, with the ruts. I will try my best -- another medal would be great."

Riesch, reigning world slalom champion, said it had been a tough day for close friend and overall World Cup rival Vonn.

"It was hard for her today, her finger was in a lot of pain," the German said. "Her confidence is not good because she didn't finish many slaloms this season.

"I hope she can go home happy."

Vonn, who won downhill gold and super-G bronze, said the expectations of the press going into the Games had not mirrored her own.

"Going into these Games everyone expected a lot of me, but I tried to stay realistic," the American said.

"I have the gold medal I came here for. I'm going home maybe a little more broken and bruised, but happy.

"I could have have done better in some disciplines, especially the super combined and also the giant slalom.

"I've been happy with my performances but the slalom has been a struggle all year. I went out there fighting but it was not my day."

Defending slalom gold medallist Anja Paerson of Sweden, who is attempting to win a record-breaking third Olympic medal in the same event, will need a miraculous second run to reach the podium.

The Swede finished in 20th at 2.18sec.

Only Paerson's team-mate Maria Pietilae-Holmner in fifth, Tanja Poutiainen of Finland in sixth, France's Sandrine Aubert in seventh and Italian Nicole Gius in eighth were within a second of Riesch's lead.