GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (March 11) - Germany's Maria Riesch finished third during the giant slalom at the Audi FIS World Cup Finals on Thursday, narrowing the gap in the hunt for the overall title to just 165 points. Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), who currently leads the title race, went out in the first run.

Germany's Kathrin Hoelzl was able to lock up the women's GS title, finishing second in the race behind Tina Maze of Slovenia.

Vonn crashed when her skis locked up in a right hand turn. According to U.S. Ski Team Medical Director Richard Quincy, Vonn suffered a small bone bruise on the outside of her right knee but expects to be prepared to race in Friday's super G.

Despite the pain in her knee, Vonn intends to race on Friday.

"I'm going to race tomorrow. I'm not going to back down from this. At this point, I'm used to fighting through pain," Vonn said.

Vonn needs only a top-7 finish in the super G  to take the overall title. Riesch, meanwhile, would need a win and a second with Vonn finishing outside the top-15 in both races.

With her teammate out, Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO) led the way for the U.S. team, finishing 25th. According to the racing mother, she had to let loose on the second run if she wanted to move up, but a loss of rhythm cost her time.

"I had nothing to lose on the second run. I just thought to link the turns and come into the arcs," Schleper said. "I knew I slayed the middle pitch, and I tried to tuck it out onto this flat but I just got a little jacked on the line. I kind of missed the timing of it."

For Schleper, training time with teammate and 2008 World Cup giant slalom champion Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) the last few days was an added benefit.

"I need more mileage and it would be great to train more with the men," Schleper said. "But just to get those two days with Ted was really motivating. I'm pulling for him all the way tomorrow."

While Ligety battles for his second giant slalom title on Friday, the women move on to the super G where Vonn has already locked up the discipline title, but intends to race in order to  lock a third straight overall title. She will be joined in the start by 2010 double Olympic silver medalist  Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) will race.

Fans can catch the action live on UnversalSports.com.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 AUDI FIS WORLD CUP FINALS
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany - March 11, 2010
Women's Giant Slalom

1. Tina Maze, Slovenia, 2:10.72
2. Kathrin Hoelzl, Germany, 2:10.75
3. Maria Riesch, Germany, 2:10.93
4. Viktoria Rebensburg, Germany, 2:11.16
5. Andrea Fichbacher, Austria, 2:11.52
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25. Sarah Schleper, Vail, CO, 2:16.11
DNF1: Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO)
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