VAL GARDENA, Italy, 20 December 2003 — Norwegian Lasse Kjus ended his eight-year wait for a World Cup super-G win, holding off Austrian heavyweights Stephan Eberharter and Hermann Maier to claim victory in the Dolomites yesterday.
Kjus, who will be 33 in January finished with a time of one minute 36.94 seconds down a bumpy Saslong course to claim his first World Cup win in the discipline since December 1995 in Beaver Creek.
World champion Stephan Eberharter, looking back to full fitness after a bout of flu, was second with 1:37.04 while fellow Austrian Hermann Maier completed the podium in 1:37.42.
Kjus, the 1999 super-G and giant slalom world champion, said his decision for all out attack had paid off.
“In Beaver Creek I was not far away from the podium but I was a chicken,” he said. “Today I was really aggressive but I still tried to keep control. It’s quite a surprise because I didn’t expect to be so fast, especially in the turns. Kjus will now start as one of the favorites for today’s eagerly-awaited downhill but can expect a tough challenge again from Maier and Eberharter.
“I’m the youngest guy on the podium so it shows I still have a future in this sport,” joked the 31-year-old Maier who continues to impress on his return from a life-threatening motorcycle injury.
The former Olympic and world champion won a super-G at Lake Louise earlier this season and finished second at Beaver Creek and although not entirely happy with his performance, a third successive podium in the event is confirmation that he is close to being back to his best.
Eberharter was pleased to have taken second spot after his recent health troubles, saying: “I am pleased. I feel my strength coming back slowly and I am happy with this. I want to give great compliments to Lasse, it is really nice to see him back skiing at the highest level.” Another Austrian, Hans Knauss, tied for fourth place with American Daron Rahlves while Aksel Lund Svindal completed a good day for Norway with sixth place. Australian A.J. Bear was flown to hospital after falling at the second Camel Hump and early examinations indicated he had suffered an injury to his left knee.
