Alpine skier Raich posts top time in first leg of giant slalom

WHISTLER, British Columbia (Reuters) - Olympic champion Benjamin Raich of Austria clocked the fastest time in the first leg of a World Cup giant slalom on Saturday.

The first skier out of the start hut, Raich took advantage of the ideal conditions, clocking a time of one minute 20.53 seconds down the same course that will be used for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Switzerland's Didier Cuche was second quickest in 1:20.73 followed by Austrian Hannes Reichelt, winner of Thursday's super-G on the same hill, just 0.06 seconds back in 1:20.79.

American Bode Miller, who is locked in a tight battle with Raich for the overall World Cup title, was 10th quickest while Swiss Daniel Albrecht, the overall giant slalom standings leader, made a big mistake near the top of his run narrowly qualifying for the second leg with the 28th best time.

The top 30 finishers qualify for a second run.

(Writing by Steve Keating, editing by Rex Gowar)