Ligety Third in Soelden GS

The first weekend of the 2009 Audi World Cup alpine ski racing is in the history books. The U.S. Ski Team's Ted Ligety was off to a good start to defend his title as he made his 13th career podium appearance with a third place finish at Sunday's season opener Giant Slalom in Soelden, Austria. Also for the U.S. Ski Team, Tim Jitloff recorded a personal best as he finished 20th.

Switzerland's Daniel Albrecht finished first, followed by countryman Didier Cuche in second. Bode Miller of the United States opened the defense of his overall World Cup title finishing 10th. Complete men's results.

On Saturday, the women's Giant Slalom was won by Austria's Kathrin Zettel, with Tanja Poutiainen of Finland in second, and Austrian Andrea Fischbacher, third. The U.S. Ski Team's Lindsey Vonn and Megan McJames finished 9th and 14th respectively. Complete Women's results.

The men's and women's World Cup events from Soelden will air on Universal Sports TV on October 31 at 7 pm and 8 pm, ET, respectively. The next World Cup action will be November 15 and 16 with men's and women's slalom at Levi, Finland.

More: U.S. Ski Team | World Cup Ski Racing

_{Right photo men's top 3© Doug Haney/U.S. Ski Team
Left photo women's top ten© Doug Haney/U.S. Ski Team}