KITZBUEHEL, Austria — Marco Buechel of Liechtenstein won a men's super-G race on Friday to become the oldest winner of a World Cup event.

Marco Buechel of Liechtenstein speeds down the Streifalm course on his way to take first place in a men's ski World Cup Super-G event in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Friday, Jan. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Buechel, who is 36 years, two months and 14 days old, had a near-flawless run in the partly foggy conditions on the Streifalm course to finish in 1 minute, 15.44 seconds.

Austria's Hermann Maier speeds down the Streifalm course on his way to take second place in a men's ski World Cup Super-G event in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Friday, Jan. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Austria's Hermann Maier skis during the men's World Cup Super-G in Kitzbuehel January 18, 2008. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler (AUSTRIA)

Hermann Maier took second, 0.16 seconds behind. Maier was fastest throughout until he lost time on the final jump before the finish line. World Cup discipline leader Didier Cuche and Mario Scheiber shared third, trailing Buechel by 0.33.

"This victory was a dream, the biggest thing for me," said Buechel, who now has two World Cup super-G wins and four overall. "I was incredibly nervous, especially when Hermann was racing."

Canada's John Kucera and Robbie Dixon were fifth and sixth. Marco Sullivan of the United States was 10th, while teammate Bode Miller was among the fastest starters, but lost the ideal line and finished 12th.

Buechel said his victory took him by surprise.

Marco Buechel of Liechtenstein competes in the World Cup Super-G in Kitzbuehel, Austria. Buechel won the race 0.16sec ahead of fellow veteran Hermann Maier of Austria. (AFP/Joe Klamar)

"I absolutely did not expect to win here. I've had my problems at the super-G in the last couple of years," Buechel said. "My secret? Useless attacking. No, seriously, you had to attack all the way to come out on top."

The 35-year-old Maier, a five-time super-G winner at the traditional Hahnenkamm races, finished on the podium for the first time since coming third at the super-G in Hinterstoder, Austria, in December 2006.

Marco Buechel of Liechtenstein (R) and Austria's Hermann Maier look at the scoreboard after the men's World Cup Super-G in Kitzbuehel January 18, 2008. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger (AUSTRIA)

"This is great, of course. I had a really good run and I just had fun out there," Maier said. "I could rely on my technical skills."

Hermann Maier of Austria celebrates his second place after a men's ski World Cup Super-G event in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Friday, Jan. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Cuche was fast on the first part, but lost considerable time as he skied off-course.

Switzerland's Didier Cuche speeds down the Streifalm course on his way to take third place in a men's ski World Cup Super-G event in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Friday, Jan. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

"I had a huge error halfway through the race, so I am happy to be on the podium. I managed to find my line again soon and a fast finish," said Cuche, who extended his lead in the super-G standings.

Scheiber has recently been hit by injuries.

"I was pain-free today and felt really well. Due to the fog, the circumstances were not the same for everyone, but that's no excuse," Scheiber said.

Austria's Benjamin Raich speeds down the Streifalm course on his way to take sixth place in a men's ski World Cup Super-G event in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Friday, Jan. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Overall World Cup leader Benjamin Raich trailed Buechel by 0.59 seconds but stayed top of the rankings.

Eric Willemsen
Associated Press
Vail, CO Colorado
January 18, 2008

Bode Miller of the U.S. skis on the Streif piste to take the 9th place in the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup super-G in Kitzbuehel January 18, 2008. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (AUSTRIA)

From left, second placed Hermann Maier, of Austria, Liechtenstein's Marco Buechel, the winner, and Mario Scheiber, of Austria, and Didier Cuche, of Switzerland, who tied for third place after a men's ski World Cup Super-G event in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Friday, Jan. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

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Vonn wins at Cortina, nears American mark for downhills

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) -- Lindsey Vonn soared to victory Saturday, pulling within one World Cup win of matching childhood idol Picabo Street as the top American downhiller.

Lindsey Vonn, of the United States, speeds down the slope on her way to win a women's ski World Cup downhill race on the 2.822-kilometer (1.75-mile) Olympia delle Tofane course, in Cortina d' Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday Jan. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

She crushed her rivals in capturing the season's most prestigious race. The Minnesota skier finished in 1 minute, 36.70 seconds -- 0.83 seconds ahead of triple world champion Anja Paerson.

Anja Paerson of Sweden speeds down the slope on her way to take second place in a women's ski World Cup downhill race on the 2.822-kilometer (1.75-mile) Olympia delle Tofane course, in Cortina d' Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday Jan. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Austria's Renate Goetschl, with a record 10 wins in Cortina, was fifth, 1.26 seconds behind, on an overcast day.

This was Vonn's fourth victory of the season and 11th of her career. Perhaps more notably, it was her first in Cortina on the demanding Tofane course.

American Lindsey Vonn celebrates in the finish area of the downhill race of the Women's alpine skiing world cup downhill event in Cortina D'Ampezzo. Vonn dominated the field to win the World Cup downhill here on Saturday, jumping to second in the overall standings. (AFP/Alberto Pizzoli)

"This is one of the great classics of the World Cup tour," Vonn said. "It's just one of those races that's important to win in your career."

The 23-year-old Vonn changed her name from Lindsey Kildow after marrying former U.S. skier Thomas Vonn in the offseason. She said this race might one day be regarded as the moment when the torch passed from Goetschl to her as the tour's top speedster.

"Yeah, maybe. She's won 10 times here, so I don't feel too bad taking one," Vonn said. "To beat her is pretty cool."

The 32-year-old Goetschl finished first or second in 10 downhills on this course the previous eight seasons -- in addition to her five super-G victories on the Olympia delle Tofane course.

"I cannot be always the winner," Goetschl said. "For sure it was not my best run. I'm going to have to change something."

Goetschl is winless this season. "I don't think she's that happy, but she's a very gracious loser and a she has very good sportsmanship," Vonn said after the Austrian congratulated her. "I want her to stay around and keep skiing for a lot longer."

Of Vonn's 11 career victories, eight have come in downhill. Street and Daron Rahlves are the most successful U.S. downhillers with nine victories each.

"Every year, Lindsey is getting faster and stronger in downhill," Paerson said. "She's skiing everywhere fast. I know the feeling, when you just ski and trust yourself on every corner. It's up to us to beat her. When she starts to finish really fast every race we're going to have problems."

Vonn has won three of the five downhills this season and holds a 430-264 points lead on Britt Janyk of Canada in the discipline standings. Goetschl is third with 255.

"It looks good, finally," Vonn said, referring to her chances for the season's downhill title. "The last few years I started off well but then had problems. Hopefully this year I can hold on to the end."

Emily Brydon, of Canada, skis on her way to take third place in a women's ski World Cup downhill race on the 2.822-kilometer (1.75-mile) Olympia delle Tofane course, in Cortina d' Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday Jan. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Emily Brydon finished third, 1.20 seconds behind, and Brydon's Canadian teammate Kelly Vanderbeek was fourth. Another American, Julia Mancuso, finished seventh.

"I didn't quite execute," Mancuso said. "I was a little sick last week, so I'm just trying to get things going again."

Vonn increased her lead at every interval and made virtually no mistakes. Last season, she fell twice during the downhill on this course.

Lindsey Vonn, of the United States, after winning a women's ski World Cup downhill race on the 2.822-kilometer (1.75-mile) Olympia delle Tofane course, in Cortina d' Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday Jan. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Armando Trovati)

"Today I just tried to ski my best but not too much," Vonn said. "I know I can ski faster."

Nicole Hosp of Austria, who skipped the downhill, still leads the overall standings with 699 points. Vonn moved up from fourth to second, with 638.

With Brydon, Vanderbeek and Janyk -- who finished sixth Saturday -- Canadian skiers took three of the top six spots.

Emily Brydon, of Canada, reacts after taking third place in a women's ski World Cup downhill race on the 2.822-kilometer (1.75-mile) Olympia delle Tofane course, in Cortina d' Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday Jan. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Armando Trovati)

"It's all about momentum and confidence," Brydon said. "It's an individual sport but we work well as a team. Any one of us can be on the podium on any given day."

Super-G's are scheduled Sunday and Monday.

"Super-G hasn't gone that well for me this season," Vonn said. "But I've got some new skis and I think they'll be fast tomorrow."

AP
Sat, 19 Jan 2008

American Lindsey Vonn(C) celebrates on the podium next to Sweden's Anja Paerson(L, 2nd place) and Emily Brydon of Canada(3rd place) after the downhill race of the Women's alpine skiing world cup in Cortina D'Ampezzo. (AFP/Alberto Pizzoli)

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