WENGEN, Switzerland -- Alexis Pinturault used his slalom skills to build a big lead in the opening run of a World Cup super-combined on Friday. The Frenchman, who won in Wengen last year, timed 49.94 seconds in falling snow, 1.22 faster than Ted Ligety of the United States. Natko Zrncic-Dim of Croatia was third, trailing Pinturault by 1.50. Ligety, the super-combined world champion, got the best conditions skiing first before the course quickly deteriorated. "To run first was definitely an advantage. The snow was pretty bad up there," Ligety said. "I need to be faster than that against Pinturault and against guys like (Romed) Baumann." Baumann, who earned bronze behind Ligety at the worlds last February, was fifth Friday, 2.15 behind Pinturault. Olympic champion Bode Miller started wearing bib No. 25, yet placed seventh with 3.43 to make up in the afternoon downhill run on the adjoining hill. "It didnt feel like slalom," Miller said. "Obviously three seconds is a long way. Im going to go for it and well see." Four years ago, Miller ended a run of poor results by winning the race in Wengen, and followed up one month later with super-combined gold at the Vancouver Olympics. Organizers ran the slalom first Friday to give snow and cloud cover time to clear before a downhill run on a shortened, 3.1-kilometre (1.9-mile) Lauberhorn course. Downhill specialist Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway was 22nd, 4.32 behind after starting No. 15. "The ruts go out from the gate and never stop. Its impossible to stay tight to the gate," Svindal said. "Four seconds faster than Pinturault (in downhill)? Thats going to be a tough one." Svindal needs a top-10 finish to take the overall standings lead from Austrian rival Marcel Hirscher, who skips speed events. Ivica Kostelic of Croatia, a six-time winner in slalom and super-combined in Wengen, went out early after straddling a gate. Oakland Athletics Pro Shop . According to USA Today the Finns have tapped forwards Jarkko Immonen and Sakari Salminen to replace injured forwards Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula at the Sochi Games. Oakland Athletics Store . FIFA said the suspension was requested by ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia, making Beckenbauer the first person to be punished as a result of the case. Beckenbauer refused "repeated requests for his assistance, including requests that he provide information during an in-person interview or in response to written questions provided in both English and German," FIFA said in a statement. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/ . The Bulls seem to be getting along fine without him. D.J. Augustin scored 27 points in a start for Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson matched a career high with 26 filling in for Carlos Boozer as the Bulls improved to 7-2 since trading the popular Deng with a 98-87 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Chris Bassitt Athletics Jersey . The Stampeders announced the move on Wednesday. Bell spent his first two CFL seasons with the B. Athletics Jerseys 2020 . That little deal worked out in a big way for the Mavericks. Nowitzki had 21 points Tuesday night to pass Oscar Robertson for 10th on the NBAs career scoring list, leading the Mavs to a 95-83 victory over the Utah Jazz.Manchester Thunder regained top spot in the Vitality Netball Superleague with a 65-51 win over Team Northumbria. Thunder coach Dan Ryan handed a debut to 18-year-old shooter Amy Clinton as Manchester closed out a comfortable win, moving above the second-placed Hertfordshire Mavericks with a superior goal difference.Ellie Cardwell displayed her composed shooting to fire Manchester into an early lead, but Team Northumbria produced a spirited response in the third quarter. Ryan: England can aim high Englands netballl team have the potential to win the next World Cup, says Dan Ryan Jamaican imports Shanice Beckford and Nicole Dixon inspired a fightback from Northumbria, who began to test Manchesters youthful line-up.ddddddddddddBut England duo Sara Bayman and Laura Malcolm produced assured performances in front of the defence and teenager Clinton made a winning start to her Manchester career.Elsewhere, Surrey Storm claimed a 54-42 win over Team Bath, while Loughborough Lightning sealed a 52-39 win over the struggling Yorkshire Jets. Also See: Ryan: England can aim high WATCH: Annas netball diary ' ' '