ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP. KITZBUEHEL, AUSTRIA – In yet another display of mastery on what most consider ski racing’s toughest track, Didier Cuche destroyed the field with a scintillating run down the Streif, winning Saturday’s Hahnenkamm downhill by the huge margin of 0.98 seconds. For the veteran Swiss it was his fourth downhill win at the venerable ski venue equaling the mark of legendary Austrian Franz Klammer.

Switzerland's Didier Cuche speeds down the course of an alpine ski men's World Cup downhill race, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Astonishingly, Cuche’s high-speed journey down the mountain could have been significantly faster if not for a few mishaps.

“It’s a good run, but I never expected it to be so fast because first I lost a pole at the start and then I was really wide at the turn before the Steilhang,” said the four-time champion. “I wasn’t sure coming down if it would be enough and finally the crowd was a little late screaming when I crossed the finish. It was good, but I wasn’t expecting to be first.”

Switzerland's Didier Cuche speeds down the course to win an alpine ski men's World Cup downhill race, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

In regards to tieing Klammer’s all-time winning mark at the Hahnenkamm, Cuche said, “I consider it three-and-a-half because my first was a sprint downhill. He had four, but maybe I will manage that next year.”

Back in 1998, Cuche won his first downhill in Kitzbühel, but from a lower start. His other triumphs came last January and in 2008.

Switzerland's Didier Cuche celebrates in the finish area after winning an alpine ski men's World Cup downhill race, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Giovanno Auletta)

Cuche’s winning time was 1:57.72. His 0.98 second victory over runner-up Bode Miller was the largest winning margin since Austria’s Stephan Eberharter obliterated the field by 1.21 seconds in 2004.

As the 11th racer to take to the 3312-meter piste, the American Miller thrilled the large crowd with an excellent run of 1:58.70, one which moved him into the lead by 0.66, bumping Italy’s Werner Heel.

Bode Miller of the United States speeds down the course of an alpine ski men's World Cup downhill race, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

“I was happy, I skied what I thought would be good enough to win,” said the American triple medalist from the Vancouver Olympics. “I didn’t take maximum risk, but I think maximum risk was too much to ask for. But, I skied well. I made no mistakes really. I backed off in a couple of areas where maybe I could have skied better, but it’s second place.”

Bode Miller of the United States speeds down the course to take the second place in an alpine ski men's World Cup downhill race, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Miller’s bid for his first Hahnenkamm title was thwarted seven racers later when Cuche took the highly challenging piste. The 33-year-old from New Hampshire, ended second at the historic race for the second time in his career, having also been defated by the Swiss superstar in 2008.

“I needed the skis to beat Cuche today,” Miler continued. “I came onto the road faster than him, but he came off of it four-kilometers faster and four-tenths ahead. That’s the difference, when you have fast skis, the whole middle part of the course is pretty fast and rolly and you can pull time the whole way there.”

Miller also praised the three-time World Cup downhill champion’s strategic approach to racing.

“He makes accurate decisions and then executes those decisions perfectly,” said Miller about Cuche.

Starting 28th, Adrien Theaux surprised and shocked the Austrian fans bumping one of the home favorites, Mario Scheiber to fourth while attaining his first career World Cup podium. The 26-year-old became the first Frenchman, since 1998 to earn a top three at a downhill in Kitzbühel.

France's Adrien Theaux speeds down the course of an alpine ski men's World Cup downhill race, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

At 36-years and five-months of age, Cuche also earned the distinction of becoming the oldest racer to achieve an alpine World Cup victory. The veteran Swiss broke the record set by Liechtenstein’s Marco Buechel who won a super-G here in 2008 by just a matter of months.

Switzerland's Didier Cuche, top, celebrates celebrates his victory with his team staff on the podium of an alpine ski men's World Cup downhill race, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. ( AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

“He’s a good friend,” said Cuche with a smile about the recently retired racer from Liechtenstein. “I’m proud to catch that record, but I’m not really proud to do that to him”

Brian Pinelli
FISalpine.com
Saturday 22 January 2011

From left, second placed Bode Miller of the United States, winner Didier Cuche of Switzerland and third placed Adrien Theaux celebrate on the podium of an alpine ski men's World Cup downhill race, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

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