Wind blows for Marlies Schild in Soldeu

SOLDEU-GRANDVALIRA, Andorra, Feb 11 (Reuters) - After she was beaten for the first time this season in Kranjska Gora three weeks ago, Marlies Schild found a second wind to win the Soldeu-Granvalira World Cup slalom on Saturday.

The Austrian snatched her sixth victory in seven slaloms in a combined time of one minute and 39.44 seconds aided by luck and the weather.

The morning session was dominated by Finn Tanja Poutiainen and Schild had to be content with the fifth qualifying time.

Poutiainen looked set for a safe win in the afternoon session when, halfway down her second run, gusts of wind literally blew her off the course, sending snow flying and reducing visibility to zero.

The Finn was forced out of the race, handing Schild her 35th World Cup victory and the 33rd in a slalom.

Sweden's Frida Hansdotter was second, 0.60 of a second behind, for only her second career podium while Austria's Kathrin Zettel was third, 0.86 off the pace.

"I'm very happy because it was a real fight," Schild told reporters. "I'm sorry for Tanja that she could not really challenge me because that's what slalom is all about. But it was not easy for anyone.

"I struggled in the first run as well and I found myself ni an unusual position in the afternoon, I really had to dig into my reserves.

The first leg had been merciless to the best two skiers in the world with American World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn and Maria Hoefl-Riesch both failing to complete their run.

"I was feeling well and I did my best," Vonn said. "That's skiing, either you're in or you're out. But I really mean to show what I'm worth in tomorrow's giant slalom."

A giant slalom is scheduled for Sunday on the same course after another was called off on Friday because of gale-force winds.