Alpine skier Reichelt holds form to claim giant slalom victory

By Steve Keating

WHISTLER, British Columbia (Reuters) - Austria's Hannes Reichelt posted his first career World Cup giant slalom win on Saturday, completing a productive weekend on the courses that will be used for the 2010 Olympics.

Reichelt, runner-up in Thursday's super-G, held his form on a deteriorating layout to clock a winning time of two minutes, 37.43 seconds over the two legs, ahead of Switzerland's Didier Cuche on 2:37.82.

Austria's Benjamin Raich, the leader after the first leg, completed the podium taking third in 2:37.87 to close the gap on American Bode Miller in the battle for the coveted overall World Cup title.

Miller, who split from the U.S. squad before the start of season to form his own team, was seventh.

(Editing by Alison Wildey)