Aksel Lund Svindal claimed victory in the downhill final in Are, with a time of 1:22.26. The Norwegian entered the race in third spot in the overall rankings, but with his 100 points has moved into the lead on 929 points, with only three races left.

Svindal claimed his third win of the season, after winning two races this season in Beaver Creek, the Super-G and downhill, and this was also his 12th career win.

Didier Cuche skied into the lead when he took to the course wearing bib number 13, finishing in 1:22.46, in second spot. Cuche was fifth in the overall standings going into the race, but the result has pushed him up to third.

Hans Olsson finished third with a time of 1:22.62, to the approval of the local fans, after Swedish legend Anja Paerson failed to impress in the Ladies' event earlier on. The Swede had managed a podium finish once this season, in Lake Louise, where he finished third.

Due to a heavy blanket of fog at the top of the mountain the start gate for the race was lowered to the traditional Super-G start, resulting in a much shorter race.

Despite the fog higher up the mountain, visibility was not problematic for racers, as the lower start meant much clearer conditions.

Werner Heel finished his run in 1:22.64, to claim fourth spot, his sixth top ten finish of the season.

Erik Guay finished fifth with a time of 1:22.82, just over half a second behind the leader.

Adrien Theaux finished sixth with a time of 1:22.83, just 1/100 behind Guay.

Downhill World Champion John Kucera enjoyed the lead for a portion of the race after he took to the slope with bib number two, finishing in 1:22.85. The Canadian finished the race in seventh position.

Ambrosi Hoffman finished eighth with a time of 1:23.10.

Speciality standings number two Klaus Kroell finished ninth, with a time of 1:23.10.

Michael Walchhofer failed to finish the race, as he crashed into the gate. However the Austrian had accumulated enough of a lead in the discipline standings to win his third specialty Crystal Globe, in part thanks to Kroell's poor performance. Didier Defago finished third with 363 points. Last year's discipline winner Didier Cuche finished seventh.

In the overall standings, Aksel Lund Svindal has moved up to top spot on 929 points. Benjamin Raich stands second, on 857 points, with Didier Cuche rising to third. Ivica Kostelic who started the race in joint top has fallen to fourth.<br /><br />The next race for the men is the Super-G final on Thursday at 09.30 (CET). Things are very close in the discipline standings as less than 100 points separate Hermann Maier who leads and Didier Cuche who is seventh.

Wednesday, 11 March 2009 12:46
fisalpineworldcup.com

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