WENGEN, Switzerland (Reuters) - Carlo Janka gave Switzerland a rare home win in Wengen with victory in a World Cup super-combined event on Friday.

The 22-year-old Janka, who won his first World Cup victory in December's Val d'Isere giant slalom, clocked a combined time of two minutes 34.16 seconds.

The win, coupled with Silvan Zurbriggen's third place, cheered up the Swiss team after a disappointing performance in last weekend's technical races on home snow in Adelboden.

Italy's Peter Fill, winner of the season's first downhill in Lake Louise, was second, 0.22 seconds behind Janka.

"To win a World Cup classic at home, in front of my home crowd, is a real achievement," Janka said.

The last Swiss winner of the Wengen combined was Paul Accola in 1992.

"It's my second win, which shows this is my season but it's also a great team performance with Silvan on the podium. We were really fired up after Adelboden," he added.

Janka was second in the morning's downhill behind compatriot Daniel Albrecht, a far better slalom specialist than he is.

Albrecht struggled in the afternoon slalom, finishing sixth, while Janka, dubbed "Mister Cool" by his team mates, did not falter.

"To be honest, it was not really a slalom for slalom specialists, which probably helped. But it's a perfect way to start the Wengen weekend," Janka said.

Slalom specialists had a poor day, with last year's winner Jean-Baptiste Grange of France finishing ninth while World Cup leader Benjamin Raich of Austria was seventh.

Bode Miller, winner of the Wengen downhill for the last two seasons, missed a gate close to the finish of the slalom leg.

The American overall World Cup holder has failed to finish nine of his 18 races this season.

Miller has a perfect opportunity to set the record straight in Saturday's downhill but Janka, Fill and Swiss favourite Didier Cuche should provide tough opposition.

By Manuele Lang
16/01/2009 15:05
Reuters

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