Dominating 'Herminator'
Maier wins third straight Super G event
Posted: Saturday January 09, 1999 11:21 AM
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Maier has won every World Cup race he has competed in on Austrian soil AP |
SCHLADMING, Austria (AP) -- Three out of three for "The Herminator."
Once again, Hermann Maier demonstrated Saturday why he is the most dominant skier on the World Cup circuit, blazing down the icy Super G course to clinch his third consecutive victory in the event.
Maier, the Olympic Super G champion, showed no fear as he tore down the bumpy course at approximately 90 kph (56 mph) to post the day's fastest time: one minute, 16.54 seconds.
"I had a bad race last week so I had trouble getting into the rhythm today," said Maier. "But then I picked up speed and powered down the steep and icy section of the piste. That's where I won the race."
The 26-year-old Austrian, who worked as a bricklayer before joining the World Cup last season, is known as the "Herminator" for his powerful build.
After a disappointing 20th place in a giant slalom Tuesday in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Maier had promised to be in top shape for the races in Austria.
"I was very motivated to remain unbeaten here," said Maier, who won two Super G's contested in Schladming last season. "I felt great support from the spectators, many of whom I heard came from my hometown of Flachau."
Maier has won every World Cup race he has competed in on Austrian soil.
In Saturday's Super G, he left his rivals in the dust, skiing nearly six-tenths faster than second-place finisher Rainer Salzgeber of Austria.
Hans Knauss, the hometown favorite, claimed third place in 1:17.31 for an Austrian sweep of the podium.
About 15,000 spectators lined the piste, cheering wildly each time an Austrian came down.
Salzgeber, 31, who is vying for a spot on the Austrian World Championship team, said he had contemplated not racing because he had a stomach flu.
"Everybody had his troubles on this tough hill," said Salzgeber. "But I pushed very hard and had a pretty good run."
Salzgeber lost control after crossing the finish line, fell, and then slid with force under the protective barriers. He disappeared from view and race officials quickly ran to pull him out from under the foam barriers.
Austrian Super G specialist Stephan Eberharter crashed out Saturday when he tried to take a corner too tight.
Minutes after the race, Eberharter said he was already thinking about Sunday's giant slalom race.
"It would be nice to steal the show from Maier in Flachau," said Eberharter.
The intensely competitive Austrian "Power Team" holds the top five spots in the Super G standings, which Maier leads. Eberharter is No. 2.
Last season, Maier picked up the World Cup title as well as two Olympic golds, in Super G and giant slalom.
He holds a whopping 159-point lead in the World Cup standings this season. Lasse Kjus of Norway, who held the No. 2 spot in the overall standings prior to Saturday's race, fell in the Super G and failed to pick up points.
Saturday's triumph was Maier's 15th career win and fifth this season.
"I really like to see myself win," said a confident Maier.
The Austrian won three of the four Super G's contested this season and finished second in the other.
Swiss veteran Paul Accola finished fourth Saturday, followed by Austrian Josef Strobl in fifth.
Saturday's Super G was the last before the World Championships, which kick off January 31 in Vail, Colorado.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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