Kalle Palander finished second this season in both the slalom and giant slalom world cups. Both results were slight disappointments for the Finn, as they were marred by controversy.

   

Before Saturday's final giant slalom event of the season, Palander trailed American skier Bode Miller by 61 points. Palander's chances for overhauling Miller improved dramatically when the American crashed off the course during the first run, with Palander clocking the second-fastest time.

   

However, a thick fog then descended on the piste, and the second run of the race was interrupted. The jury later decided to cancel the entire race, which then left the world cup points as they were. The rules of alpine skiing do not recognise one-round races, contrary to ski-jumping.

   

"It went just as I suspected. A pessimist is never disappointed. I was prepared for this", Palander commented after hearing that the race was cancelled. "Second place feels good, maybe not today, but later."

On Sunday, Palander took his sixth win of the season

in the slalom season finale. However, Austrian rival Rainer Schönfelder was second, leaving him 35 points ahead of the Finn in the world cup points.

   

"This is a little crazy. I win a race and it does not feel like much. I guess I will feel better tomorrow."

   

The eventual winner of the slalom world cup this year may not be Schönfelder, as he has 80 points from Park City that may still be deducted if Finland's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport goes through.

   

Schönfelder skied off the course in Park City, but claimed he was disturbed by an injured marshal who was lying near the track. He was allowed another first run, and the Austrian finished second in the race behind Palander.

   

Palander's original goals for this season were a top-three finish in the slalom world cup, which he won last season, and a top-fifteen placing in the giant slalom.

Tanja Poutiainen did not succeed

in retaining her third position in last year's slalom world cup. Despite finishing third on Saturday, her second podium finish of the season, Poutiainen was fourth in the final points.

   

On Sunday, Poutiainen managed only eighth place in the final giant slalom, and was fifth in the GS world cup standings.