World champion Kreiner leads parallel giant slalom qualifiers

From Sportsbeat Staff, in Vancouver

AUSTRIA'S world champion Marion Kreiner leads the qualifiers for the women's snowboarding parallel giant slalom event at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

LEADING LADY: Reigning world champion Marion Kreiner sets the pace in the parallel giant slalom qualifiers (Getty Images)

The 28-year old was third quickest in her initial run before racing away from World Cup leader Nicolien Sauerbreij in their second run pairing to lead with a time of 1:22.52 minutes.

The Netherlands' Sauerbreij was fourth fastest after the first run but her fast pairing with Kreiner meant she finished second fastest, 0.66 seconds behind the Austrian.

Austria's Doris Guenther was another 0.02 back in third while the fastest competitor from the first run, USA's Michelle Gorgone, scraped through in 13th.

Switzerland's parallel slalom world champion Fraenzi Maegert-Kohli was the biggest casualty from qualification, with a fall in her first run putting paid to the 27-year old's hopes of a medal.

The knock-out rounds will begin at 12:15 local time at Cypress Mountain.

 

 AS IT HAPPENS: Day 15 of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver