Hoefl-Riesch has breathing issues ahead of slalom

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) Maria Hoefl-Riesch skipped the Olympic giant slalom on Tuesday because of a cold and breathing problems.

Germany's Alpine team director, Wolfgang Maier, tells The Associated Press that Hoefl-Riesch ''had a rest now'' and he's optimistic that she will compete in Friday's slalom.

Hoefl-Riesch warmed up on the GS course Tuesday before deciding not to start. She has never won an Olympic or world championship medal in her weakest discipline.

Hoefl-Riesch won a gold medal in super-combined and silver in super-G in Sochi. She also won two golds at the 2010 Vancouver Games, including in the slalom.

Another gold would equal Croatian great Janica Kostelic's record of four career Olympic titles.