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By Simon Evans
BEAVER CREEK, Colorado, Nov 29 - Switzerland's
Daniel Albrecht claimed his first World Cup victory with a
superb slalom run to give him top spot in Thursday's Super
Combined.
On a day of surprises, Albrecht was fifth fastest in the
downhill, trailing pace-setting compatriot Didier Cuche in the
speed discipline, but produced a great slalom to jump to the
top of the standings.
France's Jean-Baptiste Grange, a bronze medallist in slalom
at the world championships, surged from 37th after the downhill
to claim his first World Cup podium, finishing second, 0.67
seconds behind Albrecht.
Ondrej Bank of the Czech Republic finished in third place
-- his first podium finish -- with American Bode Miller pushed
into fourth.
The tough challenge of the downhill on the Birds of Prey
worked to the benefit of the technical skiers who all came back
well in the second leg on aggressive snow.
"I knew when I had a good downhill that I could make the
podium and I had a really good feeling before going down for
that slalom," Albrecht told reporters.
"I had been feeling good in the summer training and Beaver
Creek suits me well -- the downhill is fast, steep with tough
jumps and sharp turns. I have a feeling the next three races
here could be good for me," added Albrecht who will compete in
Friday's downhill as well as the slalom and giant slalom.
Frenchman Grange, a slalom specialist, said he considered
his 37th finish in downhill had given him a chance.
"That is one of my best downhills since I started competing
in combined and I knew that I wouldn't be far off. I felt I
could do something and so I really let it all go in the
slalom," he said.
Bank's previous best World Cup result was sixth in the same
event last season.
"I didn't do anything especially different from last year
-- I just like the hill and the snow here and enjoy competing
on this course," said the Czech.
Although the U.S had three top-ten finishes, Miller,
eighth-placed Tid Ligety who is Olympic champion in combined,
and Thomas Lannin, the hosts were disappointed not to take a
podium spot.
Steve Nyman was second after the downhill but skied out in
the slalom.
Rainer Schoenfelder was the only top-10 finisher for
Austria with Benjamin Raich down in 37th.
(Editing by Ed Osmond)