LES ARCS, France Switzerland's Michael von Gruenigen sped through the rain and mist to claim the lead after the first leg of an Alpine Skiing World Cup Giant Slalom on Saturday.

Von Gruenigen, the leader of the Giant Slalom standings and already a winner in Park City and Val d'Isere this season, clocked one minute 25.54 seconds down a course made treacherous by steady overnight rain.

The rain and fog delayed the start of the race 30 minutes.

Only three skiers were within a second of the Swiss, Austria's Benjamin Raich posting the second best time of 1:26.19.

Overall World Cup leader Hermann Maier, back on French snow after being controversially disqualified from a Giant Slalom in nearby Val d'Isere three weeks ago for lingering too long on the course during prerace inspection, was third in 1:26.43.

Austrian Andreas Schifferer, seventh in the overall standings, somersaulted and crashed heavily on the first leg.

(Reuter)