Kvitfjell, Norway – Swiss veteran Didier Cuche halted an Austrian podium sweep to win an Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super G Sunday and take a commanding 64 point lead in the season-long discipline standings. With one super G remaining at Word Cup Finals, Cuche only needs to finish seventh or better to secure the title.nMiddleton, Idaho’s Erik Fisher was the top American in 38th, followed by Bend, Ore.’s Tommy Ford in 49th. Neither Ted Ligety nor Steve Nyman, both of Utah, finished the race.
“We definitely had higher goals for this weekend, but sometimes it takes a tough couple of races to fire everyone up,” admitted Sasha Rearick, men’s head coach with the U.S. Ski Team. “With Marco [Sullivan], Andrew [Weibrecht] and Travis [Ganong] out with injuries, we had a pretty small crew up here. It’s always better to have a few more guys in the start.”
World downhill champion Erik Guay, of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada, who was second in Friday’s downhill also in Kvitfjell, finished 11th to lead his Canadian compatriots.
“I had a pretty good feeling on my skis. I think I was a little bit unlucky with the light,” said Guay, who started 12th. “I lost some time in the middle of the course. There’s two races to go. I would love to finish on a good note.”
World Cup Finals open Wednesday with men’s and women’s downhill in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Cuche is also in the hunt for the men’s downhill title, while Vail, Colo.’s Lindsey Vonn has already locked her fourth consecutive women’s downhill crown.
“Now it’s time to turn our attention to World Cup Finals,” said Rearick. “Ted (Ligety) has an excellent opportunity to add to his point total this season and secure the third giant slalom title of his career. Plus Nolan Kasper will be looking to lock up the Europa Cup slalom title in a few days and then take that momentum into the slalom at Lenzerheide.”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup
Kvitfjell, Norway – March 13. 2011
Super G
1. Didier Cuche, Switzerland, 1:33.05
2. Klaus Kroell, Austria, 1:33.35
3. Joachim Puchner, Austria, 1:33.39