Maria Riesch of Germany, the reigning World Cup slalom champion, beat her friend Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. by .08 seconds in the Levi, Finland Audi FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Slalom.  Riesch led after the first run by .22 and although Vonn charged back with the fastest second run it wasn't enough to pass Riesch in total time.

Hometown Finnish favorite Tanja Poutiainen was third to round out the podium of veterans - Riesch, Vonn and Poutiainen have combined for a total of 114 podium appearances.

Note that beside being edged out by one Riesch lady, Lindsey Vonn had another nipping at her ski tails - Maria's sister, Susanne Riesch, finished 4th!

Complete results of the Audi Alpine FIS Ski World Cup Women's Slalom at Levi, Finland.

More: 2010 Winter Olympics

_{Levi, Finland Podium Copyright Getty Images}

Hans Pieren, the Race Director of International Ski Federation (FIS) has certified that snow conditions at Levi, Finland are excellent for racing and everything is a go for the Audi 2010 FIS World Cup  Ladies Slalom on this Saturday and the Men's Slalom on Sunday.

Last year at Levi, Lindsey Vonn won with two great runs and Bode Miller was second to the French slalom specialist and 2009 World Cup Slalom Champion, Jean-Baptiste Grange. According to Bode's Blog he feels he will be ready for the technical Levi Black course.

UniversalSports.com will bring us all the action at this second stop on the Road 2010 Vancouver Olympics, covering both Runs 1 and 2 for the Ladies and Men.

Check out my review of the 2009 season Men and Ladies Slalom races at Levi.

_{Photo Vonn and Miller Copyright Getty Images}

Here is a look at some major ski and snowboard shows and expos that are scheduled around North America this fall.

These shows are in major metropolitan areas and there are some in smaller cities, as well, that I don't have the dates for. So, watch the Sports or Entertainment sections of your local paper for dates and times of local ski shows near you.

November

• Colorado Ski and Snowboard Expo, Denver, CO, November 13 - 15
• Bay Area Ski and Snowboard Show , San Jose, CA, November 13 - 15
• SnowJam Ski and Snowboard Show, San Diego, CA, November 13 - 15
• Silicon Valley Ski & Snowboard Festival, Santa Clara, CA, November 14 - 15
• Boston Globe Ski and Snowboard EXPO, Boston, MA, November 19 - 22
• SnowJam Ski and Snowboard Show, Las Vegas, NV, November 20-22
• Seattle SkiFever and Snowboard Show, Seattle, WA, November 20 - 22
• Sacramento Ski and Snowboard EXPO, Sacramento, CA, November 21 - 22

Related: A Day at the Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo

_{Boston Ski Show Photo Copyright Mike Doyle}

The approximately 13.610 million satellite TV customers of DISH Network® are all getting an early Christmas present as The Ski Channel Video On Demand (VOD) will be joining the DISH Network® lineup of extensive VOD service. In making the announcement of the long-term VOD distribution agreement with DISH Network®, Steve Bellamy, Chairman and CEO of The Ski Channel said, "We have only been on air for nine months and have already crossed the 21 million subscriber mark." 

The addition of DISH Network means that nearly every consumer in America now has at least two available television platforms to receive The Ski Channel, a  free, ad supported network delivered on cable, satellite, IPTV, web and wireless. It is the only television network devoted solely to year-round mountain activities such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, backpacking, climbing and off-slope activities.

The Ski Channel's content currently includes series, movies, events, news, weather, destination travel, equipment, instruction and real estate. The 2009 fall programming lineup will bring new shows and films including the works of legendary ski filmmaker Greg Stump, and a wide variety of Colorado's best filmmakers including Sweetgrass Productions, Denver's Futuristic Films and Crested Butte's Two Plank Productions. Also to debut will be talk shows starring Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn, Tanner Hall, Glen Plake and Simon Dumont, as well as feature partnership programming with the X-Dance Film Festival.

If you're not getting a daily fix of The Ski Channel contact your cable or signal provider and let them know you want to see skiing all year round and demand Video On Demand.

_{Logo Copyright The Ski Channel}