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ST. MORITZ, Switzerland -- Ted Ligety of the United States put together two nearly flawless runs in difficult conditions to win a World Cup giant slalom on Sunday, the last mens race before the Sochi Olympics. Ligety, a two-time world champion in the event, overcame poor visibility to finish a massive 1.51 seconds faster than Marcel Hirscher of Austria in the combined time. "Its so tough when you cant see anything, it makes it so much more tiring. Im glad I was able to make it to the finish line," said Ligety, who posted the fastest time in both runs. The convincing win boosted Ligetys Olympic hopes. "Its nice to get in another good race and I hope I can carry that confidence over the next two weeks," Ligety said. Hirscher jumped from third to second, while Alexis Pinturault of France fell from second to third after both heats to finish 1.69 seconds behind Ligety. "The second run was definitely very good, but the first run, to be one and a half seconds behind, was nothing for me," Hirscher said. As fog shrouded the middle section of the course, Ligety raced to his 21st career victory and his third in a giant slalom this season. He also has a victory in a super combined this year. Ligety won the first two giant slaloms of the season, with Hirscher getting the next two. Felix Neureuther of Germany, winner of the previous giant slalom race, skipped the event to rest a painful back before the Olympics. Hirscher still stayed atop the giant slalom standings and took the lead overall as Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway fell in the second heat. Hirscher is now 58 points ahead of Svindal. The Austrian has a 95-point lead over Pinturault in giant slalom standings, while Ligety is five points behind the Frenchman. "It was a very difficult slope but I am pleased because I stayed on the podium," Pinturault said. Ligety explained his big margin of victory by taking a different line. "When its bumpy like this, I dont go so straight, I go a bit closer to the gates. A little mistake will cost you a lot on a course like this," Ligety said. Bode Miller of the United States hit a rut and crashed out about halfway into the first run. Miller won the giant slalom title at the 2003 World Championships, the last time men raced in St. Moritz. The 36-year-old American said he was ready for his fifth Olympics, despite Sundays mishap. "My skiing is generally pretty solid now," Miller said. "There were already big holes in some places when I went down and you cant see where they are and the coaches cant tell you where they are. The guys making it down were skiing very conservatively, trying not to crash and not to make mistakes. Ted is the only one really who skied normally. "I didnt want to be 2.5 seconds behind and so tried to ski normally. But I had big problems from the start," Miller said. Fog forced the cancellation of Saturdays downhill and threatened the giant slalom as well. The start of the second run was delayed by half an hour and there was a long break before the last 11 racers. Cheap Air Vapormax Wholesale .The Ottawa Senators winger was relegated to a corner seat in the locker-room to allow Daniel Alfredsson to return to his regular stall one last time. Nike Air Vapormax For Sale . Lexie Lou earned a commanding 4 1/2-length win Sunday in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks. http://www.cheapvapormaxforsale.com/ .com) - Houston Texans interim head coach Wade Phillips confirmed Monday that starting quarterback Case Keenum sustained a sprained right thumb during Sundays 25-3 loss in Indianapolis. Cheap Nike Vapormax China . 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There was Lewis Grabban going missing from the Norwich team hotel, Carlos Tevezs disappearance following a famous spat with Roberto Mancini and Pierre van Hooijdonk going on strike for lack of player investment at Nottingham Forest.But, it is unprecedented for a manager to refuse to travel with his team for a fixture, with no excuses offered. Karanka has bucked the trend, and caught fans and experts alike completely by surprise. What has happened at Middlesbrough, and why has such an event taken place and where do they go from here? We take a look...What happened following midweek defeat at Rotherham? Rotherham celebrate over Boro which instigated row The Spanish coach stormed out of the clubs Rockcliffe Park Training Ground on Friday and told his players he didnt want to manage them again after a heated post-training row - instigated by Karankas criticism of his players after their 1-0 defeat at Rotherham in midweek.The former Real Madrid assistant was true to his word, and did not travel for Boros 2-0 defeat against Charlton at The Valley on Sunday, leaving Steve Agnew to take charge of the team instead.Did the teams form warrant Karankas anger? Middlesbrough went clear at the top after Brentford win Having derailed Brightons unbeaten start to the season with an emphatic 3-0 win at Amex Stadium, Boro hit the top of the table, and after a 1-0 win at Brentford on January 12, they held a five point lead at the top, with a game in hand.However, three wins from the subsequent 11 matches, losing their last three on the road and scoring just one goal in the process has angered Karanka.Those successive defeats on the road have come against sides much lower down the division - infuriating Karanka yet further.Why did Karanka take such drastic action? Middlesbrough players have good rapport in north east Sky sources understand that the players were concerned that criticism would damage the high morale at the club, which led to the heated team meeting taking place.Karanka has previous with this squad. Back in August. Albert Adomah handed in a transfer request after a bust-up with his manager, before revoking it in September as the pair patched up their relationship.Stewart Downing has also had his disagreements with Karanka, and at such a critical stage of the campaign, Karanka felt that the players were working to their own agenda, which warranted such unusual action.Are promotion hopes in jeopardy? Gaston Ramirez (left) celebrates against Wolves Well, no. What is most surprising about all the upheaval on Teesside is that Boro are still very much primed to seal automatic promotion back to the Premier League.Despite their recent woes, Karankas side sit second in the Championship, and victory over promotion rivals Hull on Friday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, would strengthen their position yet further.Whats more, four of their next five matches are at home - everything is still very much in their own hands.What wwas the response from players, fans and staff? Middlesbrough fans have backed Karanka Both the Middlesbrough fans and coaching staff have certainly nailed their colours to the mast.dddddddddddd The travelling Boro faithful sang Karankas name at the Valley on Sunday, and voted overwhelming in local media polls, backing the Spaniard in the bust-up.Goalkeeper coach Leo Percovich wasnt afraid to make his feelings known at the Valley, unveiling a training top with AK embezzled on it.And the players? Their woeful showing in Sundays defeat actually gave credence to Karankas views.What will happen now? Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson wants issue resolved According to Sky sources, the tact has changed in 48 hours. Karankas refusal to travel with the team did not sit well with Steve Gibson and the board, casting serious doubts over the Spaniards long-term future.However, with Boros inept showing at Charlton adding weight to Karankas argument that the players are not giving him enough, Karanka has received some sympathy from the Boro hierarchy.One way or another, Gibson is thought to be keen to resolve the issue sooner rather than later, especially with the clubs pivotal clash with Hull coming up.Ian Holloways view Highlights of Charlton v Middlesbrough from the Sky Bet Championship To me it looks like they lost their focus [at Charlton]. Theyve lost their leader. In the Championship you have little bumps in the road that you have to overcome. Youve got to be together but theyve not done that.Are they in a mini-crisis? Yes, they are. Theyve been really good - had outstanding spells - but the mini-crisis to me is losing a manager of his ilk at this crucial stage in the season. At this stage you need stability, belief and togetherness.If there have been some arguments, well, sometimes conflict is healthy; you come out the other side stronger.Somethings gone wrong - we dont know what - but Middlesbrough need to shake themselves down because the Hull game is massive. Get Sky Sports Alerts Breaking news, line ups and goal alerts from your football club - direct to your mobile Also See: Karanka could stay Charlton win amid fan protest Watch Championship goals Charlton fans mock funeral ' ' '