Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany – Swiss juggernaut Didier Cuche climbed into the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup downhill lead with victory in a a fog shortened Garmisch downhill on Saturday.

The oldest man to ever win a World Cup race at 37 years of age, Cuche has been on a winning streak lately and comes off a victory at the previous weekend’s downhill in Kitzbuehel. Canadian Erik Guay claimed his first podium of the 2011-12 World Cup season  with a second-place finish at the site of his historic World Championship victory last February. Hans Reichelt of Austria captured Saturday’s bronze.

“I just can’t explain it,” said Guay, of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, dubbed the “King of Garmisch” by his teammates due to the success he’s had here. “I just feel like I’m unstoppable when I get here. I’m obviously super happy to be on the podium today. I felt good and relaxed out there.

“I made a pretty big mistake in the middle and I probably lost the race there. That one mistake cost me.”

With the start moved down due to fog on the top of the course, Guay made a strong start before losing time in the middle section when his boot hit the snow. His time looked like it might be good enough for the win but Cuche produced a nearly flawless run to take the victory.

“Erik was lightning fast on the top and made a substantial mistake in the middle,” said Paul Kristofic, head coach of Canada’s men’s team. “He recovered quickly and found the speed right away and was super-determined and crazy fast in the bottom section.

“For sure, he was out to win the race and was skiing well enough to do it but when you are pushing on a sprint like this you have to risk everything and sometimes when you do that, you make mistakes.”

Franconia, N.H.’s Bode Miller was 35th, despite starting after racer 45. Miller, who was slated to start 16, was sanctioned with the later start for arriving late to the previous evening bib draw. Travis Ganong led Americans with 27th followed by Marco Sullivan in 28th. Both hail fro Squaw Valley, Calif. Park City, Utah’s Ted Ligety did not start Saturday’s downhill in favor of extra giant slalom training

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany – Jan. 28, 2012
Men’s Downhill