World Cup Skiing : Schneider Runs Win Streak to 8 Races

Vreni Schneider of Switzerland, skiing through a driving rain, picked up her eighth straight World Cup victory and fourth giant slalom win of the season Saturday at Schwarzenberg, Austria.

“It does not matter whether it rains, snows or whether the sun shines. It’s simply running,” Schneider said of her record winning streak.

She had the best time in both heats for a winning total of 2 minutes 16.75 seconds.

Schneider on Friday broke the record of 6 consecutive victories in Alpine skiing, held by Swedish veteran Ingemar Stenmark and Italian Alberto Tomba.

With her victory Saturday, Schneider widened her lead in the World Cup standings. She has 207 points, while Ulrike Maier of Austria is second with 118 points.

Maier was second, 49/100ths of a second behind, with Carole Merle of France third after posting the second-best time in the second heat and 2:17.50 overall.

Maier has 5 seconds and 4 third places this season.

A men’s World Cup downhill race at Laax, Switzerland, was postponed after dense fog blanketed much of the course, organizers said.

A men’s super-G race is scheduled today at Laax.