Slow cranking when cold and ZANARDI Crash

[Rui]

My 97 A6q wagon is cranking very slow when the engine
is cold. I often have to turn the key to the start position, then pull
back and then try again so the engine will start. Also, I recently had
the
ignition switch replaced.

I suspect something is wrong with the battery but the car only has
39K miles and is only 4 years old. I looked over the battery and all
seems ok (at least from a visual inspection). There is a sticker
on the battery that says it is under a 60 month warranty.

Anyone encounter this before? Was it the battery?

Thanks!

PS:For those of you who missed it here is info on one of the most
horrific crashes I have ever seen in my life. How did these guys manage
to
survive?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/motorsports/news/2001/09/17/zanardi_surgery_ap/