VIENNA — Slalom world champion Marlies Schild, who tore knee ligaments six weeks ago, is back on skis and plans to make a late decision on whether to defend her crown at next month's Alpine ski world championships in Schladming. “I made my first steps on snow in the last few days. The result is that the knee holds up well and I feel safe on it,” Schild wrote on her Facebook profile Thursday. “As for skiing competitively, I'm still a little bit short of course,” she added. The world championships open on Tuesday, with the women's slalom taking place on Feb. 16. — Reuters