KITZBUEHEL, Austria (AP) _ Austrian ski star Hermann Maier capped an incredible comeback from devastating injury with a victory in a men's World Cup super-G on Monday. Maier, who nearly lost a leg in a motorcycle accident in
August 2001, cried in the finish area after reigning World Cup overall, downhill, super-G champion Stephan Eberharter finished behind him, knowing he had finally reached the end of a long, grueling journey.

Hermann Maier

Maier, nicknamed "The Herminator" for his dominating presence and indestructible nature, sliced through the heavy snowfalls shrouding the Streifalm course in 1 minute,
20.48 seconds, leading an Austrian sweep of the top five places.

Hermann Maier

"I don't know what to say," said Maier, his lips trembling, his eyes filled with tears. "I never thought I would win again so quickly. I'm over the moon. I am totally
moved.
"It's one of my best victories. It's definitely on par with the Olympics and world championships."

Stefan Eberharter

Christoph Gruber was runnerup in 1:20.59, while Eberharter ended up third in 1:20.63.
"I was hoping I could win today, but I certainly wasn't expecting it," Maier said.
Maier, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time overall World Cup champion, once reigned supreme over the ski scene, but saw his career jeopardized after a horrific motorcycle crash in August 2001 that nearly cost him a leg.
The powerful Austrian is renowned for his resilience.

Didier Cuche

Maier crashed spectacularly in the downhill at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, only to get back up and win two gold medals in the next few days.
Maier only returned to competition two weeks ago in a giant slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland. Before that, he had not competed since his accident. His last victory was a giant slalom on March 10, 2001, in Are, Sweden.

Hermann Maier

He was expected to make a comeback in October but re-injured his leg last August in Chile while gate skiing for the first time since the crash.
He then took a two-month break in November and December to take helicopter flying lessons.

AP, 27.01.2003