ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP. Klaus Kroell snapped a five-year Austrian drought at the Lauberhorn downhill, holding off Swiss rivals Didier Cuche and Carlo Janka to win the 81st edition of the classic race on Saturday by 0.14 seconds.

Austria's Klaus Kroell celebrates with members of his team after winning a men's ski World Cup downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Starting 12th on another very warm day in Wengen, the 30-year-old Kroell clocked a time of 2:31.28 on the long and grueling 4430-meter Lauberhorn piste. Somehow the Austrian, who has won only twice before on the World Cup and just once in downhill two years ago in Kvitfjell, would survive the challenges of all the elite downhillers in the world.

Austria's Klaus Kroell is airborne as he speeds on his way to win a men's ski World Cup downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Enrico Schiavi)

“It’s the biggest, for sure,” said Kroell about the importance of the victory. “The feeling is amazing, it’s unbelievable. I was very relaxed and it was a great job I think.”

“I had a very good line, the speed was amazing and my skis were great,” continued Kroell, discussing his win in the finish area. “Thanks to Salomon for a great job. I lost a little bit on the lower section of the course in the Ziel-S, but it was enough.”

Klaus Kroell from Austria speeds down the course in front of the Silberhorn mountain during the men's ski World Cup downhill on the Lauberhorn in Wengen, Switzerland, Saturday Jan. 15, 2011. Kroell won the race. (AP Photo/Keystone, Peter Schneider)

Following eight racers including Janka and World Cup downhill leader Michael Walchhofer, the sentimental home favorite, Didier Cuche took to the course with visions of finally nabbing that elusive Lauberhorn title.

Switzerland's Didier Cuche is airborne as he speeds on his way to take second place in a men's ski World Cup downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Enrico Schiavi)

But Cuche – who has twice finished second to Bode Miller at the venerable race – faltered slightly just past the midway part of the course. Despite making up time on the lower section following his mistake, the 36-year-old Swiss veteran failed to knock Kroell from the top spot. His run was good enough for second place yet again.

“I made the mistake just after the Wassserstation on the biggest gliding section,” said Cuche. “I put the ski really flat and then I caught an edge. This is not the best place to make a mistake and maybe it cost me the victory.”

Switzerland’s Janka reached the podium for the second time in as many days finishing third, 0.39 seconds off Kroell’s pace.

Switzerland's Carlo Janka is airborne as he speeds on his way to take third place in a men's ski World Cup downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Enrico Schiavi)

Earning 100-points for the win, Kroell moved up to third place in the World Cup downhill standings, surpassing Cuche. The victorious Austrian still trails Switzerland’s Silvan Zurbriggen and Michael Walchhofer heading into next weekend’s vaunted Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbuehel.

by Brian Pinelli
FISalpine.com
Saturday 15 January 2011

Andrej Jerman of Slovenia starts in front of the Eiger north face during the men's Alpine skiing World Cup downhill race at the Lauberhorn in Wengen January 15, 2011. (REUTERS/Ruben Sprich)

Carlo Janka of Switzerland celebrates on the way to the podium after taking third place in the men's Alpine skiing World Cup downhill race at the Lauberhorn in Wengen January 15, 2011. Klaus Kroell of Austria won the competition ahead of second placed Didier Cuche of Switzerland and third placed Carlo Janka of Switzerland. (REUTERS/Michael Buholzer)

Switzerland's Air Force national flight team Patrouille Suisse performs in their Northrop F-5E Tiger II aircrafts before the men's Alpine skiing World Cup downhill race at the Lauberhorn in Wengen January 15, 2011. (REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann)

From left, second placed Didier Cuche of Switzerland, winner, Klaus Kroell of Austria, and third placed Carlo Janka of Switzerland celebrate on the podium of a men's ski World Cup downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

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