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Perfect form Eberharter wins back-to-back downhillsPosted: Saturday January 19, 2002 7:53 AMUpdated: Saturday January 19, 2002 12:09 PM
KITZBUEHEL, Austria (AP) -- Stephan Eberharter of Austria won a men's World Cup downhill on the notorious Streif course Saturday to collect one of the most coveted trophies in Alpine skiing and become only the third man in World Cup history to sweep all four "classics" in a single season. The overall World Cup leader, who clinched the super-G the previous day for his first victory on the Hahnenkamm mountain after 12 years on the men's circuit, charged down the much feared Streif in 1 minute, 54.21 seconds. The 32-year-old Austrian won his first classic downhill in Val d'Isere, France, in early December, and his second in Val Gardena, Italy, a week later. He also prevailed last weekend on the famous Lauberhorn in Wengen, the longest and most physically demanding course on the World Cup. Only Norway's Lasse Kjus, in 1998-1999, and Austrian legend Franz Klammer, in 1974-1975, achieved the same. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, is also considered a classic stop on the World Cup circuit, but only stages technical races for the men. "It's an incredible feeling," Eberharter said. "It's a very special day for me. Everything is just perfect at the moment. It was a childhood dream and now it's a dream come true. "I've wanted this a long time. It's taken a lot of patience to get here." Norwegian veteran Kjetil Andre Aamodt, who was seeking his first win in a speed race this season, placed second in 1:54.58. "It was a little disappointing," said Aamodt, who'd held the lead until Eberharter's run. "But maybe in the end I was lucky to be second. I had a good race but it wasn't perfect." Aamodt will race in Sunday's slalom, which also counts towards the combined, an event that adds the times from the technical race and the downhill. Austria's Hannes Trinkl, who missed the season's first five downhill races after suffering a concussion while free skiing in November, was third in 1:54.61. The Austrian has made am impressive comeback, finishing second in Wengen last weekend, his first race of the season. "For me it's nice to be on the podium," Trinkl said. "Kitzbuehel is a very difficult downhill and to be on the podium here is incredible. And such a surprise. I couldn't have asked for more." Kurt Sulzenbacher of Italy placed fourth, while Austria's Fritz Strobl was fifth. Super-G world champion Daron Rahlves of the United States, third in last year's downhill here, crashed out halfway down. The U.S. skier was still plummeting down the slope when he got up on his feet, continuing to slide down on his boots. Disappointed at the lost opportunity to gain a mental edge ahead of the Olympics, Rahlves dropped down to the ground, lying on his front and burying his head in his hands. Eberharter has bloomed this season in the absence of his illustrious teammate Hermann Maier, who is still recovering from a motorcycle accident this summer that nearly cost him a leg. The Austrian has won four of seven downhills so far, landing on the podium all but once. He also took both super-Gs so far. In all, he has made the podium 10 times this season, with two other top-three finishes in the more technical giant slalom. Eberharter increased his lead in the World Cup overall rankings, which he tops with 1,032 points. He also leads the downhill standings with 570 points. "I'm in perfect form," Eberharter declared. "I felt really good in training and knew then there were good possibilities for me here today." Austrians have swept every race here since 1999, with Hermann Maier winning both the downhill and super-G last year and Mario Matt taking the slalom. The other nations will have an opportunity to arrest that trend
in Sunday's slalom, where American Bode Miller is favored.
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