Macuga puts US on top in women's team combined
With Paula Moltzan set to ski the decisive slalom part for the USA 2 team, super-G bronze medallist Macuga set the pace in one minute 41.60 seconds down Saalbach's Ulli Maier piste.
That time was 0.23 quicker than Germany 1's Emma Aicher, paired with Lena Duerr, and Miriam Puchner third fastest for the Austria 1 team with Katharina Liensberger.
Newly-crowned downhill world champion Breezy Johnson, who has ski great Mikaela Shiffrin as her slalom partner in USA 1, was fourth fastest and leaving 0.51 to make up.
"I knew I nailed it," said Macuga. "I think I'm going to be so nervous but so excited down here (at the finish area). It's going to be so different to anything we ever do, I have no control so I'll just wish her (Moltzan) good luck."
The team combined, with each nation able to enter up to four pairs, is being held at a world championships for the first time with the men's event on Wednesday.
The event will also feature at next year's Milan-Cortina Olympics.
American Lindsey Vonn's hopes of another medal at the age of 40 appeared to have disappeared when she finished 21st of the 26 teams and 2.51 seconds off the pace, leaving USA 3 partner AJ Hurt a massive task.
Vonn had hoped to team up with Shiffrin in a pairing that would have united the two most successful female World Cup skiers, but U.S. team officials made the selection on the season's performances.
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